Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I compliment Mr. Murray on his organisation. Many presentations and submissions are made to us and this might be the third time we have addressed this topic. I would not have a reputation for patronising people but it is probably one of the best and most focused presentations we have had, with clear recommendations and clear arguments underpinning them.

I have a few questions on the presentation. I note that Mr. Murray mentions ASEAN+5. I also note that recently Taiwan made overtures about having greater direct links to Ireland. I wonder why it would be excluded from Asia Matters' particular countries of remit. Would Mr. Murray have a view on that? I am aware there are some political sensitivities with China. Mr. Murray might like to comment on it?

I was interested to hear Mr. Murray comment that the FÁS programme in Japan and a fellowship programme which ceased. Could he give a little more information the benefits of those and the reasons, in his understanding, they were discontinued?

We had a brand Ireland debate previously with a number of people. What is the best way for us to harness an awareness and create a brand for Ireland? This is a small island and sometimes we forget that. Maybe we have influence beyond our size. In many parts of Asia, one finds that not a lot is known about Ireland once one starts talking to the populace generally but there seems to be a connection with our music, musicians and bands. I presume those who follow sport would have some knowledge of our sports personnel, particularly the fact that we are prominent in the golf arena. I note Riverdance created quite an impact. I wonder how can the State utilise the awareness of that, and achieve an attachment to Ireland, because sometimes the link with Ireland is not known to those who are aware of these particular bands or individuals.

Is language an issue? Mr. Murray mentioned competencies in the educational programme and he also mentioned culture.

Mr. Murray raised in the recommendations what we would call the one-stop-shop of having an Ireland building, and he mentioned Japan as being a good example in that regard. Has he had discussions with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in this regard and what responses is he getting because this strikes me as a good recommendation that we should be following up with the Department? Obviously, there are synergies to be achieved from having staff working together where the symbiosis is greater than the individual attentions. All Mr. Murray's recommendations have a great deal of merit and are ones we should be following up.

Mr. Murray mentioned the food and agritech sectors. It is a little extraordinary in that it is one of our strong sectors. When a committee visited Singapore recently, we became aware of companies, particularly the Kerry Group, which have an involvement in Malaysia. It is significant that the Asian Development Bank, ADB, was unaware of our food and agritech expertise and, indeed, our leadership in that area. Mr. Murray reported back, I presume, to the Department. I would be interested to hear if the Department came back to him and what follow up was given in that regard.

Mr. Murray mentioned a move to online to ensure a positive visa process for ASEAN business visitors and tourists. We have heard this from a number of sources, even those who have come in from some of those countries. At this stage, should we join Schengen, forget about any inhibitions with Britain and let Britain do what it wants but act independently? Is it to our serious disadvantage from both tourist and business points of view that we are not part of Schengen?