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

I want to assure Mr. Cotter that I will not start my contribution by asking what his position is on illegal Irish immigrants in America, because I know it is not his field.

Mr. Cotter's paper was a breath of fresh air.

It was an exciting and positive presentation. It presented the facts of the situation to us. It made it clear that there are wonderful trade relationships between America and Ireland. It is a compliment to American and European companies that have invested in Ireland and recognised that our exports are at an all-time high in the teeth of austerity. It cannot be forgotten that they are making a contribution to the sustainability of the State at this time.

I would like to refer to the concerns that have been expressed by a professor. What has gone wrong with the Irish education system? I hear reports of inward direct investment. I am aware of a company that fears it might have to recruit 500 specialist staff from throughout the world to fill a portion of its positions. That is very worrying. We have moved up the technology chain, but our universities are not producing the engineers and talented programmers that are needed. The Council of Europe has recognised that Dublin city is fantastically intercultural and diverse. People of all nationalities are very happy to work here. Does that mitigate against the indigenous shortfall in skilled labour?

I would like to refer to another point of negativity that has not been mentioned. I wonder if it is fact or fiction. We do not seem to have the large-scale office developments or industrial units that would attract companies to come here. Is there a weakness in our system in that regard?

Along with the Chairman and others, I attended the recent transatlantic partnership debate in Dublin Castle, which was organised by the American Embassy. It strikes us that this is the most exciting potential trade development that can be envisaged in the next ten years. Mr. Cotter has probably been asked where he thinks it is going. I know the Irish Government is currently leading the discussions in this regard. It struck me during the debate that there is a strong belief that these relationships are developing at a pace that might lead to conclusions sooner rather than later.

I ask Mr. Cotter to respond to my questions on office developments of a suitable scale, the availability of skilled labour, the notion of Ireland being a warm, friendly and culturally diverse place and the extent to which people are happy to come here if foreign labour is required to fill posts.