8 October 2009

Mr Gavin Sheridan
21 The Courtyard
Castleredmond
Midleton
CO CORK

File Reference : EI/0143/FoI

Dear Mr Sheridan

Advice of decision on FOI Request (SS 8 and 13)

I refer to the request, dated 31 August 2009, which you made under the Freedom of
Information Act for access to records held by Enterprise Ireland.

As FOI Decision Maker I wish to advise that I made a final decision on your request
on 8 October 2009. I will seek to answer any questions you may have in relation to
my decision and to assist you generally in this matter. I may be contacted by
telephone on number 01/7272805.

Your request concerned records of travel and expenses relating to a trade mission to
India in 2006. I have made a final decision today to grant your request. If you have
any queries regarding this correspondence please contact me (contact details are at the
end of this letter).

The purpose of this letter is to set out this response, which has the following parts:

1. A table setting out air travel charges and other expenses for the trade mission
party, giving the identity of the individuals and details of mode and class of
travel;
2. Background information on trade missions, their purpose and outcomes;
3. Background information on Enterprise Ireland’s travel policy and procedures;
4. A statement of how you can appeal this decision should you wish to do so.

I am also enclosing background EI documents which outline relevant EI policies and

procedures such as:
 Official EI Staff Travel Policy
 Official EI Staff guidelines and regulations on travel, subsistence and other
expenses (including applicable rates per country).
The detailed table relating to travel and expenses, the supporting information
regarding trade missions and travel policy, along with the broader EI policy
documents should give you a clear sense of how expenses and air travel processes
operate in EI in relation to trade missions.

Rights of appeal
You may appeal this decision. In the event that you need to make such an appeal, you
can do so by writing to me (contact details at end of this letter). Your correspondence
should include a fee of €75 for processing the appeal. Payment should be made by
way of bank draft, money order, postal order or personal cheque made payable to
Enterprise Ireland. You should make your appeal within 4 weeks from the date of this
notification. However, the making of a late appeal may be permitted in appropriate
circumstances. A week is defined in the Act to mean 5 consecutive weekdays,
excluding Saturdays and public holidays (Sundays are also excluded, as they are not
weekdays). The appeal will involve a complete reconsideration of the matter by a
more senior member of the staff of Enterprise Ireland.

Yours sincerely,

______________
Eileen Banks
Press and Public Relations
Enterprise Ireland
The Plaza
East Point Business Park
Dublin 3
Ireland
Tel: +353 1 727 2805 Fax: +353 1 727 2086
Email: eileen.banks@enterprise-ireland.com
Web:www.enterprise-ireland.com

Attached:

1. Taoiseach led India Trade Mission 2006 – Schedule of Travel Costs and
Expenses

2. About Enterprise Ireland and Trade Missions

3. Enterprise Ireland’s Travel Policy

Note: All references to particular sections of the FOI Act, unless otherwise stated, refer to the 1997
FOI Act as amended by the 2003 Act.
About Enterprise Ireland and Trade Missions

Enterprise Ireland’s core aim is to increase Irish exports by accelerating the

development of Irish companies and assisting them in accessing world markets.
Under Enterprise Ireland’s business strategy Transforming Irish Industry 2008-2012
we have set a strategic target to help Irish companies secure new export sales of €4bn
by the end of 2010. In this context, foreign travel is essential and integral to the
agency achieving its aims and objectives.

To secure these goals, Enterprise Ireland has a network of 31 international offices that
provide specialised support to Irish companies’ efforts to win export sales, engage in
international partnerships and joint ventures and establish in market presences.

Overseas market and trade events are central to the strategy to grow export sales.
Every year, Enterprise Ireland organises and participates in various overseas trade
missions, in-market visits and overseas trade fairs and exhibitions to help client
companies access international markets and to build the profile of Irish capabilities
overseas. Every exporting country in the world has similar programmes of trade
missions and events.

International trade missions and events are highly effective actions to grow export
sales. On recent trade missions for example, the following levels of sales were won
by Irish companies:

• €40m of contracts and agreements were signed during the Tánaiste-led

mission to UAE, November ‘08
• €65m of contracts and agreements were signed during the Ministerial trade
mission to China September ‘08
• €9.1m of contracts and agreements were signed during the Ministerial trade
mission to Brazil and Mexico May ‘08
• €29m of contracts and agreements were signed on the Tanaiste-led trade
mission to Silicon Valley March ‘08
• €35m of contracts and agreements were signed during the Taoiseach-led trade
mission to South Africa January ‘08
Enterprise Ireland’s Travel Policy
Under Enterprise Ireland’s travel policy, the normal mode of air travel is economy
class and the normal standard of hotel accommodation, if required, is 3 or 4 star.

Flights and accommodation of a higher class are sometimes booked in exceptional

circumstances, for example, when travelling on official business with a Minister,
Ministers of State, Secretaries General or other senior officials and it is necessary to
discuss arrangements or prepare for particular meetings or events through direct
interaction with such Ministers or senior officials.

Business class flights are also sometimes booked, if the travel time exceeds 9 hours
and the staff member needs to start working immediately on arrival.

Enterprise Ireland does not pay for flights for any spouses.

On trade missions, it is Enterprise Ireland policy to pay for the flights and
accommodation of the Minister and two of his/her officials.