Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Aiken and Ms Glen to this meeting. They represent important players in the business of trade between our two countries. Will they elaborate on the announcement by the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, that a referendum will be held in Britain on EU membership? What does the chamber or its constituent bodies hear on the ground in regard to that proposal? I am glad Mr. Aiken mentioned the work of our embassy, Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia and others. The embassy has always been a good resource. Not only does it deal with political issues, which have taken up much of the agenda between Britain and Ireland over the years, but it has always been used as a resource for trade promotion.

Over the past number of years we have been very fortunate to have currency stability. However, the fact that we are in a different currency zone from that of our main trading partner has proved a huge headache at times. Just a week ago, for example, I mentioned the difficulties we had at the end of 2008, when in the last quarter of that year sterling depreciated by approximately 23%. This caused particular difficulties for our exporters, but thankfully we have not seen such currency fluctuations recently. Just as Chambers Ireland did last week, Mr. Aiken mentioned the need for the authorities here - particularly the Department - to develop a website comparable to that of the British Trade and Investment Office to help with trading issues.

An issue that is topical currently is that of food and food security. One thing often forgotten about in the public discourse is the importance of the Common Agricultural Policy in providing Europe with food security and sustainability. Too often the commentary on the CAP is that it is concerned with the transfer of resources to the farming community. It is much more than that and has ensured stability and food security in Europe. Regardless of who has been in government here or in Britain over the years, we have had contrary views on the CAP. Perhaps when Mr. Aiken is talking to decision makers in Britain, he will try to get the message across that an adequately and properly resourced CAP is of the utmost importance to food security and sustainability. These are important issues throughout the world, and in Europe in particular. Policy on this should be at the base of the CAP and funding for it should not be reduced. However, this issue is often not given the attention it deserves.