David Norris (Independent)
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I welcome our three guests. Mr. O'Mahony demonstrated the importance of the contribution from the backbenches when he was suddenly called in to contribute.

This is the first time we have been provided with questions in our briefing. I never remember that happening before. There were some suggested questions. I looked through them with interest. It is a curious procedure but helpful in ways. The suggested question that I found interesting is whether there has been any reaction by the business sector to the closure of missions this year. Let me put that question and perhaps Mr. Talbot will respond to it.

I have been on this committee since it started and during the term of the previous Government there was a rebalancing of priorities in the direction of trade, which Chambers Ireland no doubt welcomes. I have no difficulty with that. It is important that we have a strong arm in terms of reaching out to foreign trade, but I am concerned about the possibility of human rights being downgraded, particularly when Chambers Ireland talks about the reallocation of workload and resources within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. I am assuming it would not particularly bother the witnesses if that happened at the expense of human rights, because it must happen at the expense of some other area. If one is to rebalance and refocus the workload and resources, change must happen. I am against taking resources away from human rights, which are eternal.

I was very interested in the comments on China and Russia being difficult markets. I was glad that he isolated Africa and Turkey. Those are markets that have not been explored and we could do well there. I am horrified that we have surreptitiously altered, without reference to the Oireachtas, our position regarding China and Tibet, where there are human rights abuses. A considerable number of people are burning themselves to death to protest about this.

With regard to the one-stop website, I suggest to the Chairman that we endorse that unanimously. I would be interested to learn whether any of my colleagues object to it. It seems to be eminently sensible and practical. I do not see a need to provide the service in more than one language. The establishment of such a website would be simple, practical and easily achievable, and we should endorse that suggestion.

On the issue of Ministers going abroad, I am an Independent and since I was elected I have consistently supported Ministers from different parties in going abroad. It is absolutely essential. Under our Chairman, with all-party support from the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, we should show unity and support for Ministers going abroad. They are representing the entire nation and not just one party. It is not electioneering. I do not care if they stay in good hotels, if they get a good rest. I do not care if they have comfortable flights. I do not want them to be punished for working for this country. The amount of money involved is negligible. Such debate is generated by press hysteria and stupidity and we should be firm against it. The payback for that work is enormous. Other countries would give their right eyes to have something like St. Patrick's Day, the colour green and, dare I say it, James Joyce and Bloomsday. We should forget about apologising for these things.

My preceding colleagues raised a number of issues. I would not let the private sector near passports. I do not think chambers of commerce or anybody else should issue passports. It is a State matter that should stay within the State. I have never been ardent about outsourcing. We should make the Civil Service more efficient. Let us look at the bin collection service, which Dublin City Council outsourced. It is now a complete and utter mess. There is Mafia warfare between different companies, with the burning of vans, and there is rubbish all over the streets. It is an absolute disaster. We should not just accept inefficiencies but should hold the relevant bodies to account. We should not outsource public utilities or passports. That is my view, and I am a well known crank.