Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I remind members and those in the Visitors Gallery to ensure mobile phones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting, as they cause interference with the recording equipment, even when left in silent mode.

This is part of a continuing series of meetings and other activities relating to trade promotion and the role of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in assisting economic recovery. The aim of the committee's examination is to prepare and publish a report on the strategy of and response by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to the economic crisis, the Department's new responsibility for trade promotion and the role of trade promotion in economic recovery as outlined in the programme for Government. The committee will examine the performance of the Department in these respects. It commenced the process earlier this year with the formal adoption of a scoping document. We have discussed the issues involved with senior officials of the Department. We have also held meetings with the main State agencies involved in trade and investment. A committee delegation held 30 trade-related meetings in three cities in the United States during June. The committee also heard the views of the private sector from IBEC and the Irish Exporters Association. It also intends to examine the way in which the visa system supports or inhibits trade promotion and meet organisations on the promotion of agricultural exports. It intends to have meetings with other trade organisations and chambers of commerce during 2013.

The purpose of this meeting is to examine the issue of trade with the Arab world. A number of Arab countries have embassies in Ireland, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Last year I visited Qatar where I met Irish business people operating there. I was struck by their level of optimism about the possible benefits for Ireland from trade and inward investment from the Gulf region. We met many engineers involved in the construction sector there and noted the existence of a Qatari-Irish business forum. There may be similar fora in other Gulf states. There are opportunities in the United Arab Emirates. Etihad Airways operates 17 weekly flights from Dublin to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. There has been a significant change in the relationship between Ireland and the Arab world and in our view there are significant opportunities for Ireland to improve its trade with these countries.

We are joined by Mr. Louis Maguire whom I met earlier this year at the Joint Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce function in Dublin. I was very impressed by this organisation. Mr. Maguire is also the honorary consul of Tunisia. I have no doubt that with his knowledge and experience of the Arab world he will offer a very interesting perspective on how Ireland can make the most of the opportunities in the region.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to this committee. If a witness is directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continues to so do, he or she is entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of his or her evidence. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against a person or persons or an entity, either by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I welcome Mr. Maguire. I think members will be very interested in his presentation on the strong relationships between the Arab world and Ireland on which it is hoped to build.