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

I will not delay the proceedings other than to compliment our witnesses on their appraisal of the situation as they see it. Chambers Ireland has an important role to play in conjunction with the Government agencies, although I know it does some work in this area already. For example, I am thinking of other major festivals all over the country that affect the regions. There is an unique opportunity for Chambers Ireland to engage with visitors and business people visiting this country as a prelude to outgoing missions. We need to display the power of our economy by making presentations on the progress of Irish companies and multinational corporations based in Ireland. I do not agree with clichés such as punching above our weight. It is important to realise that we have a power that has not been recognised internationally. We know the importance of inward investment, but there are two sides to that argument.

I agree entirely with Senator Norris on the issuing of passports. I am not happy about the privatisation of certain utility services. I think the public sector can do the job better, and does not have to achieve anything other than efficient delivery of the service on time, every time, without waiting.

The waiting time is the issue that annoys everybody. It is within the ambit of the public service to deal with that issue itself, in its own interest and in the interest of the Irish people.

I see visa issues as being of considerable importance. Passports have been mentioned. That we are not in Schengen, for the obvious reasons of which we are all aware, it is hugely important to find a means of speeding up the process whereby a major business person visiting the neighbouring island or France, on a worldwide trip can, when it is brought to his or her attention, visit an adjoining country. It is only a short hop for them. It could mean a huge opportunity for employment provision here. I have dealt with several such cases, as everybody has, and we have all had the same problem. It is a question of time. As people who travel internationally do not have time, that is a factor that has to be dealt with. I am interested to hear how the witnesses can contribute to that area.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has expanded its role and has done so very successfully. I agree with the promotion of Ireland abroad as being important whether it be done by business people, Chambers Ireland, individual industrialists or politicians. It is hugely important that those going on the mission realise the seriousness of their mission. Their job is a serious one. There should be no deviation from that objective and that mission and if they do so repeatedly one will read about the results in the newspapers afterwards.