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

It goes without saying that almost all politicians in the House have nothing but admiration for the work done by Enterprise Ireland and our embassies throughout the world.

We had a meeting yesterday with the Minister for European affairs from Great Britain, Mr. David Lidington MP, and will probably hear today, in the Queen's speech, the outlining of the UK position on Europe. It may not be a directly relevant question but I will ask in any case. In his briefing to us, Mr. Lidington seemed to imply that Britain was being to some degree strangled by regulations and Commission and treaty obligations from Europe and that it needed to break free and get out of some of the treaties. Britain is fearful that it cannot compete with the evolution of world blocs and powers. The ASEAN countries have a market of 960 million where we have 500 million in Europe. Mr. Lidington seemed to argue that Britain needs greater freedom and flexibility to go into this market and expand. Does Mr. Sherry think there is any analysis that would back that up? Is Europe lagging behind because its regulations are so cumbersome they are strangling a country like Britain? Is the ASEAN market going to surpass the economic might and power of Europe? This may be a political question but if Mr. Sherry has any observations I would be delighted to hear them.