Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses. Mr. Ryan has been here several times before in his previous role. I agree with other speakers on the idea of linking up both Enterprise Ireland and the IDA. We have a huge dependence on FDI coming from the USA. The Far East now seems to be a major hub, with huge potential, yet we do not have any inward investment coming in from China. That is a huge potential market.

This is no reflection on Mr. Ryan but I am a little bit concerned with the fact that he is an insider. His appointment is from an inside position. He knows everybody in it. He will be chairman of a board to oversee what goes on, yet he is probably on first name terms with everyone in both organisations. I do not know whether that is healthy or unhealthy because it has been shown in the past that we have too much close contact. That is not healthy for the economic environment. I would like to hear Mr. Ryan's own views on that. I can see the advantages of it, especially given that Mr. O'Leary is finishing up in the next year and there needs to be some kind of continuity. However, I have a little fear that Mr. Ryan could become a poacher turned gamekeeper.