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

I apologise for my absence for a short period of time. I thank the witnesses for appearing before us this morning and compliment them on their promotion of business with ASEAN countries. One only has to glance at that publication to realise fully the huge potential that exists in terms of population. India and China have a combined population of 2.5 billion - not million but billion. They are increasing productivity and GDP and are increasing in global importance. There are huge opportunities that have already been availed of but there are certainly many more opportunities.

The Irish trailblazers are an interesting example. Japan has a large population of 125 million people. Its GDPper capita is €30,000, which is almost comparable to our standards. Companies like Glen Dimplex which blazed a trail there when it was not fashionable to do so are examples to many more companies throughout this country because it shows what can be done if the application, willingness, dedication and perseverance is there. Glen Dimplex has done that very successfully not only in Japan but all over the globe. It has 10,000 employees worldwide. I was at a presentation last week that may have been attended by the Chairman when the former chief executive was given an award. If one could identify a promo that was more positive for a country than that presented by Glen Dimplex on that occasion, I have yet to see it. It was the most impressive example I have ever seen in terms of promoting the country, product and business acumen of Irish entrepreneurs and emphasising the humble beginnings of a company that started in a garage in County Louth and reached international standards in a way that is hugely impressive. I ask that every effort be made to build on the contacts that have already been made to ensure that every Irish company can gain a foothold in those markets.

That would be hugely beneficial to us as a nation in our quest to achieve full employment. Full employment may have been a myth some years ago, but when we get our business structures properly organised and the economy growing sustainably over a period of time, it will follow, as will a dramatic increase in the population, all of which will be of huge economic benefit.