Ms Jacqueline Gilna:

It is very important to look at the geo-disparities across Canada. Within the context of geo-disparities, there are also different cultural approaches to doing business. A prime example of that today is the Ireland-Canada Chamber of Commerce – Montreal’s representation here because it is a unique area and it very much needs its own Irish Government representation from State agencies, as we have said.

I would also like to put some focus on Alberta. Alberta has very specific, as many of the areas have, natural resources and opportunities. The Ireland-Alberta Trade Association has been very active in organising a number of trade missions over here recently and it is working very closely with the Alberta Government. Obviously, we are inviting all of the committee members to join us in Canada and to experience the Canadian opportunities first-hand but should that be a consideration we would ask, and focusing on the Deputy’s question, that the committee takes the time to visit each of the regions. That is very important because each region will have an opportunity for certain sectors. It should no longer be a case of just coming into Toronto and then heading to other places.

Let us not forget that Ottawa is the seat of the federal government and, since 2015, when I invited the Irish Government to come on a trade mission - we worked with the Ireland Canada Business Association, ICBA, on that mission - we have not had a trade mission to Ottawa. To develop those relationships further, we should consider that the federal government makes the decisions outside of the provinces, so it is a combination of the relationship. I encourage the committee strongly, in answering all of those questions, that we include the federal government in that process.