Ms Nicola Byrne:

I think I have covered the key factors to make us more competitive. I am happy that enough of them are done.

I believe St. Patrick's Day is vital for trade. The Irish Exporters Association will have some staff going in various directions for St. Patrick's Day, primarily to the US and UK. It is a vital day. While politically everybody looks at costs and everything else, we know we trade when we get there. Having spent St. Patrick's Day in New York on a few occasions, I have come out as the recipient of many good deals because everybody comes together and it is a nice way of meting people and people can do business while they are there.