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

We do not compete with those products because we do not produce them. Why has Traidlinks concentrated on Uganda?

Uganda is a beautiful country which is dear to my heart and I have visited it on a number of occasions. The delegation will be aware that the committee had to send emissaries to Uganda due to corruption by its Government and an attempt to divert Irish Aid funding for its devastated northern regions, around Gulu province. How does Traidlinks get on with the Uganda Export Promotion Board, the Uganda Investment Authority and TradeMark East Africa in view of the sophisticated attempt to defraud the people of Ireland and the Gulu province of Irish aid?

I applaud the values that were listed as being built into the charter of Traidlinks, including the major one of anti-corruption. Distribution was also mentioned. Mr. Maguinness said there were two official stops and maybe 15 unofficial ones on the route from Mombasa to Kampala. I have vivid memories of travelling on the roads from Ghana to Toga and then home. I do not know what they are called in this day and age. When one travels on that road one is always stopped and asked to pay bribes for passage. How can we counteract that culture of bribery?

I thank Mr. Maguinness for outlining his African policies on foreign affairs and trade. They seem to complement each other.