Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh na toscairí chuig an cruinniú. The World Economic Forum discussed ASEAN and the main message was that it was all about potential. The focus was on the market of 600 million people. The forum highlighted the area had 100% mobile telephone coverage and 30% Internet coverage, the young age profile of the population and the projected increase in the next 20 to 30 years of the middle class. I suppose the region ticks all the boxes and we would all agree we need to expand our exports to this developing market.

What we plan should be based on mutual beneficial trade and should also focus on areas such as human and workers' rights, environmental sustainability and fair taxation. There are difficulties in this regard when we consider the countries involved. For example, Cambodia and Laos are renowned for land grabbing from subsistence farmers and Myanmar is emerging from a military regime. One of the issues that arose was the importance of ensuring the forthcoming elections in Myanmar in November are free and fair. Do Mr. Kelly and Mr. Nevin concur on this? How important is it that there is greater confidence in the region as a whole, not just in Myanmar, and how important is this for exporters and people who travel into these areas?

Mention was made of education and the pulling of funds by the HEA. Were there enough people signing up for the course or were the funds cut on the basis there was no demand for the course?