Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael)
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Mr. Doyle-Kelly requested that we open a permanent consulate in Montreal, as we have done in other cities throughout the world. He suggested we are missing out on it. What countries of a similar size to Ireland have done this in Montreal, and what basic advantage does that give to businesses in Montreal and Quebec in the context of facilitating dealing with both governments? I refer not only to having an embassy but an embassy and a consulate for businesses. Especially for small businesses, if we are trying to attract them to set up in Ireland, what could it do for them by having a permanent consulate there?