Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is related. While it could be an oversight on my part or that of The Irish Times, I compliment the Tánaiste and his colleagues on the success of the Irish Presidency. To what extent has the Department quantified the value of the Irish Presidency in the worldwide community in promoting Ireland Inc., its trade and trade potential? The point made by the Tánaiste on engaging with the world is of huge importance. Ireland should never remain stagnant in the way in which it engages with the world. In that regard, I welcome the extension of embassies and consular appointments worldwide on the basis of emerging world economies. Nothing remains as it is, nor should it. Arising from that point and having regard to performance in recent years, to what degree does the Tánaiste expect these new appointments to be of benefit to Ireland Inc. with regard to promotion of the economy? I welcome the reinstatement of the Vatican embassy, which is a positive decision. Everything changes; nothing is forever, which is the way it should be. Moreover, henceforth nothing will remain forever. There may be changes in the future to extend further diplomatic services worldwide, which would be of huge benefit to the country as a whole. In particular, it is important in diplomatic circles that Ireland respond to events around it in a positive way. This is what has happened and I compliment the Tánaiste in that regard.
The Tánaiste has referred to the need to compete and in the aftermath of the exit from the bailout programme, to what extent do he and his colleagues expect to be in a better position to compete worldwide? This has been the subject of many parliamentary questions I have tabled to the Tánaiste and his Cabinet colleagues in the past couple of years, particularly in the context of economic recovery in Ireland and the degree to which Ireland remains competitive. The Tánaiste has mentioned this and it is of huge importance.
The final point I wish to make concerns focus. The Tánaiste made a very important point on focus which I do not believe members fully understand or appreciate. I refer to the focus of this jurisdiction on its worldwide relations and worldwide economies, the opportunities that present themselves and the degree to which Ireland focuses on these opportunities as or, more importantly, before they emerge and putting in place the necessary provisions.
In respect of the diplomatic missions already undertaken and to which the Tánaiste also referred, to what degree can Ireland's diplomatic missions in the international arena be compared with those of other jurisdictions?