Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Wednesday, 14 November 2012
Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade
Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with IBEC and IEA
4:20 pm
Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)
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I thank IBEC and the Irish Exporters Association for their positive presentations on what is the most important and difficult challenge facing our country. The trading and investing in a smart economy strategy was published in early 2010.
That publication had a particular emphasis on export-led growth, part of which included foreign direct investment, a topic we have not really covered, but it relates to new markets and the necessary co-ordination required. I am pleased this was raised in the Irish Exporters Association presentation and I will address the association first. The delegation referred to cutbacks and this is an important point we should take on board and emphasise, because it is short-sighted if we cut back. The example provided referred to a job in one area that could generate or create employment here, especially given the serious challenges we have with regard to youth unemployment. I believe one third of the youth are neither involved in education nor working. This is a Europe-wide phenomenon but-----