Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris, alongside Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, have officially launched the Government’s Action Plan on Market Diversification.
This new cross-departmental strategy is designed to enhance Ireland’s economic resilience by reducing overreliance on traditional markets and creating fresh opportunities for Irish businesses to expand internationally.
The plan, developed in partnership between the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, reflects extensive consultation across Government and State Agencies. It also aligns with the wider ambitions of the upcoming Global Ireland 2040 framework, which aims to position Ireland as a stronger player in international trade and diplomacy.
The Tánaiste said:
“This Action Plan is a core part of the Governments’ response to current trade issues. The US, EU and UK will continue to be our key trading partners. However, as an open trading economy, it is important we take stock of the supports available to Irish businesses who wish to diversify their export markets. As a Government we have invested heavily with significant additional diplomatic and State agency resources in Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Gulf under Global Ireland 2025. Ireland is now represented by diplomatic missions in over 100 cities around the world, all of whom have trade promotion as one of their core priorities."
The Tánaiste added:
“We are fortunate in that the Irish economy remains robust and successful but we cannot take this for granted. The Government Trade Forum has been a central part of our response to current trade disruptions.The continued, combined inputs of Government, State Agencies and business stakeholders including on the development of this Action Plan will ensure that every effort is made so that Irish businesses are supported in their efforts to sell their goods and services all around the world.”
Speaking today, Minister Burke said:
“In an era marked by global economic uncertainty—shaped by shifting geopolitical realities and a rapidly evolving international trading landscape—it is vital that we continue to support Irish businesses and maximise trading opportunities across the globe. Our long-standing relationships with established markets remain a cornerstone of our success and we will seek to deepen these relationships, but we must also prioritise new partnerships with high-growth regions that offer fresh opportunities. Ireland’s economic model is built on open access to global markets, underpinned by free-flowing trade and investment. That openness makes us agile, but it also means we are exposed to changes in global trade patterns and currency movements. This Action Plan is about ensuring we stay ahead of those changes, on behalf of the many innovative Irish businesses with high-value products to export."
This plan is built around four core objectives:
Minister Burke added:
“This Action Plan on Market Diversification reflects our shared ambition to build a more resilient, competitive and globally connected Irish economy—one that delivers sustainable growth, quality employment and opportunity for all.”
The Plan contains over 100 actions with a timeframe attached to most deliverables. It is a living framework that will evolve in response to global developments and the needs of Irish businesses.
The Cabinet Committee on Economy, Trade and Competitiveness will receive six-monthly updates on the implementation of the Plan.
Businesses, their employees, and other representative groups, will have an important role to play in achieving the objectives of the Action Plan.
The Government Trade Forum will play an invaluable role, allowing for Government Ministers from a range of relevant portfolios to communicate directly with stakeholders and experts as we shape the national, multi-faceted response to the trade challenges facing the country and the business sector in particular.
Elements of the Action Plan will feed in, in due course, to the preparation of a new Trade and Investment Strategy and Global Ireland 2040.
