Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)

That is an important distinction because not once have we been informed in any terms that either a big company or a group of companies will be taking action and there will be X amount of job losses or potential job losses. It seems to stall at this reputational damage line. Reputation is in the eyes of the beholder. Some of us would say that our reputation internationally has been enhanced and will be enhanced by taking a stance on the genocide and the issues that have gone on there. I thank Mr. Sweetman for his answer and how forthright he was.

There is a right wing think tank based out of London which reported that Ireland's influence in Washington has been diminished in recent months and years, primarily due to the occupied territories legislation. Is it Mr. Sweetman's view that the State's influence in Washington has diminished, whether through this or anything else over the past year or so?