Mr. Martin Murray:

There are two aspects to the Deputy's question on resources. It is critical to maximise the impact on the ground and accelerate growth. This is the immediate need within, let us say, a three-year phase. Equally, there is a longer-term play, which obviously requires planning and consultation within team Ireland.

Asia is becoming increasingly important. In Asia Matters, the view is that Ireland has a unique and very successful economic model but that it is not sustainable in the long term without a balanced focus on Asia. Of course, we want to keep and expand what we have in the United Kingdom, the rest of Europe and the United States but very shortly Asia will have over half of the world's wealth and over three quarters of the world's customers. Therefore, we now need to be expanding our presence strongly in Asia.

On why the Japan programme closed, it was a question of throwing out the baby with the bathwater. It should not have happened. When the organisation was closed down, the offshoot, which in itself was unique and very important to Ireland, was closed down also. It has not been resurrected. It was a wrong decision and many Japanese people were very upset because senior Japanese people in top companies had, for years, committed to supporting the programme internally within their companies. They saw it as a major loss of face, an embarrassment and a betrayal by Ireland. It takes time to restore that trust. We need to do this, however. We will only do so if we plan and resource the programme correctly.

With regard to other embassies, the Deputy is absolutely right. Asia Matters focuses only on business; we are non-political. We are primarily examining where the quick wins and the medium-term and long-term key wins need to be. We are very open to the idea of other embassies. Vietnam is a great example. Our embassy there was opened under Irish Aid. The relationship has now moved from aid to trade. It is great to see a developing relationship with Vietnam. Potentially, we could open a consulate in Ho Chi Minh City, which by 2030 will be one of the megacities of the world.

With regard to Nepal, I hear what the Deputy saying. I have not examined Nepal but we are very open to the idea. I would not claim any expertise on it. I have had the privilege of meeting people from the country but I do not have core expertise. There are other small countries that are important in their own right but, again, we focus on specific countries. Like every other organisation, we have limited resources and time.

With regard to human rights, of course we would always respect human rights. Policy is outside our remit. We do not set policy; our job is to act as an advisory body. Policy matters come under the remit of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. I understand, however, that in the forthcoming Asia strategy report from the Department, the matter will be addressed. I imagine the report will be out next year, hopefully in the first quarter but definitely in the second.