Irish companies embark on US trade mission

A total of 27 Irish companies are participating in the first leg of Ireland's five-day, six-city trade mission to the United States, which officially gets underway today.

The first two days are targeting opportunities in the oil and gas sector.

The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise, and Innovation, Richard Bruton touched down in Texas yesterday.

Day One of this trade mission begins with a business breakfast meeting with Enterprise Ireland clients and US customers.

Next Minister Bruton will visit what has been described as "America's most important start up" - The Techshop facility in Austin.

This visit has been arranged in light of the agreement in principle to establish 'Techshop Dublin' on DCU Innovation Campus.

Techshop is an open access studio or 'maker space' which lowers the barriers for inventors, entrepreneurs and existing businesses looking to prototype new ideas.

Afterwards Richard Bruton will meet with Republican Governor Rick Perry and take questions from US media outlets.

In the afternoon there will be a Ministerial Lunch with Enterprise Ireland's clients and US partner companies, followed by a meeting with companies from the food sector.

The day will come to close when Minister Bruton arrives in Houston tomorrow evening to attend a technology conference.