John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I wish to speak on the same issue. I support the Chairman’s position. Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland had a representative office there a few years ago. The question is whether it is cost effective to have someone based in Taipei. Opportunities are presented by a market of 24 million people. Given the visa waiver programme, there are opportunities in Asia and the Chinese market. I put it to Ms Sinnamon that perhaps an outreach office could be considered if not a fully-fledged one, where a person is located as opposed to having someone go there occasionally. The Chairman has made the point very clearly. There is currently investment from the European office and the UK office, which I have seen myself. There is an opportunity for trade, especially in the context of Food Horizon 2020 with dairy products. The market is consolidated and is very much English speaking.

I concur with the Chairman's very clear opinion on it.