Ms Marie Armstrong:

Some countries have effectively purchased or leased ports in other European countries and invested in them. It might be worth considering trying to get investment in Irish ports and brokering some sort of deal that would allow people to have access to Irish ports in return for the investment. Russia has leased ports in eastern Europe, which is obviously a different issue. I am aware that Irish companies have privately invested in ports in Central and South America. They are shipping product from there and have done a very good deal for that country in return for use of the port. I do not see why that cannot happen in a reciprocal situation.