Minister Michael Ahern welcomes Australian Delegation

Minister for Trade and Commerce, Michael Ahern T.D., today (Tuesday October 4^th 2005) welcomed members of the Australian Capital Territory who are currently on a trade mission to Ireland. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is the youngest of the Australian States and is the home of the capital Canberra.

The group which includes the Deputy Chief Minister for Economic Development, Business and Tourism, Mr. Ted Quinlan, along with other Government officials is supporting 11 Australian Companies who are part of the trade mission.

At a lunch in Dublin, which was attended by the Australian ambassador to Ireland, to officially welcome the group Minister Ahern said “Links between our countries have always been strong, both culturally and at individual level, as a result of the many Irish people who have made their homes in Australia down through the years. More recently, of course, we have seen a more equal exchange of people, as many people from Australia have also come to Ireland and made their homes here, deepening our ties even further”.

Minister Ahern went on to say: “Australia is a very important trading partner for Ireland, with total trade between our two countries during 2004 amounting to 912 million Euros. Australia is ranked 15^th in the list of countries Ireland exports to. From the Irish point of view, this is principally a result of our relatively recent emergence as a trading nation. Since the beginning of the 1990’s our trade, both imports and exports, has grown at an astounding rate and I hope that following this visit the growing trend of increased trade and business link continues”.

During their four day visit the trade mission will meet with representatives of Enterprise Ireland, IDA, as well as visit places of business and cultural interest.

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Companies involved in the Trade Mission

Centre for Sports Studies

Lambert Vineyards

CIC Secure

Dreamfarm

Inventive Entertainment

Professional Public Relations

AMS Australia

Alacrity Technologies

Canberra Dance Development Centre

Simmersion Holdings PTY Limited

GPSports Systems