Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the delegation. The Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs has had trade added to it in the recent past. Perhaps, there is a maturing process to be engaged in. The witnesses have applauded the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade when they mentioned that it worked hard in reversing the status of Ireland internationally in light of the economic collapse. Some politicians in some political parties would deny that Ireland was damaged. The diligence engaged in, both politically and at diplomatic level, and our ability to renegotiate the promissory notes is an indication that our international diplomatic corp is working closely with the political agencies in pushing Ireland Inc. It is a tragedy, given the collapse of the economy that we have had to close embassies instead of opening them. Quite frankly, the three that were closed were not of great economic importance to us. I accept the point that we have to look afresh at the markets and where we recapitalise or intensify investment. In light of that, it is interesting that the witnesses have mentioned some African countries that we should target. We have a policy, an Africa strategy, and members may wish to comment as to whether they believe it is good. For example, Nigeria has a population of 160 million. In the past, the committee tended to look after the poor, the impoverished, the starving and those victims of earthquakes and natural disasters whereas since the trade portfolio has been added it requires a remoulding of the institution. We understand that the GDP of Africa is growing and that the rate of growth is 5% per annum. Therefore, there is great potential given the historical linkages of the missionaries.

The witnesses were somewhat critical of us targeting the BRIC countries. I congratulate Dublin Chamber of Commerce who came out with us when we forged the lonely path of establishing twining between Dublin and Beijing. We were very happy to be accompanied by delegates from the chamber of commerce. This very day, as we speak, in Beijing there will be 500,000 visitors to the spring festival in China, where Ireland is carrying the "Country of Honour" title. The Minister for Education and Skills is visiting China next month with, presumably, a trade delegation. There are different modui operandi in developing relations with various countries. China puts to bed the notion that we cannot compete with non-English speaking countries or that we are somehow inhibited. I see great potential in the area where we sell our education; it is a very lucrative area, bringing in international students from China and all over the world.

It is unfortunate that the witnesses have targeted the outsourcing of the Passport Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of which we are collectively proud and understand the reason it should be retained within that Department. The Passport Office has grown in leaps and bounds. It has put in the machinery. It suffered from a flood setback and there were queues but those days are over. There is no queueing. Oliver J. Flanagan is dead and so is the politics of us, as politicians, running around with passports. We are not allowed do that. We cannot intervene even if we wanted to. Civil servants have become far more sophisticated. I have a difficulty about the suggestions regarding outsourcing but the troika will look after that because Coillte and Aer Lingus are to be privatised. I would argue that the witnesses picked a bummer when they selected the Passport Office as the area for outsourcing.