Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank our guests for addressing the meeting today and I congratulate them for their positive attitude. It is refreshing to see such a positive attitude displayed by people at the coalface, especially at times of economic difficulty. I congratulate both organisations for their work, especially in respect of the passage of the fiscal stability referendum as well. I greatly appreciate it.

The Irish Exporters Association referred to a positive attitude in general. Like the delegations, I attended a presentation by the outgoing chief executive of Glen Dimplex recently. This presentation was referred to in another capacity at a Joint Committee on European Union Affairs meeting. The presentation portrayed this country and the companies in this country in a very positive way. I have never seen as good a presentation anywhere. Whatever influence the delegations and the Chairman have should be used during Ireland's Presidency of the EU Council. Similar presentations should be used during Ireland's Presidency for other companies. Nothing could convince anyone as much as those presentations can, do and will.

I agree strongly with the points made in respect of trade with Africa. The great advantage is that we do not rip off the African economies and that is important in the present climate.