Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Irish operation in Tokyo is very good. I attended a working meeting in Japan, where we operate a version of the "Ireland House" concept, under which the IDA, Enterprise Ireland and the embassy are located in one building. Our staff in Tokyo work extremely hard. A number of projects are in the pipeline this year and Japanese companies are also set to expand in this country. I pay tribute to the overseas staff of Enterprise Ireland and the IDA. They are doing a marvellous job in the regions where I have met them. Their work, as well as the visit of the Chinese Vice-President, Xi Jinping, to Ireland and the Taoiseach's visit to China, have all contributed to the increase in trade. We have had a number of ministerial trade missions to Asia and more are required.