Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 5 November 2024

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence

Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (Supplementary)

3:45 pm

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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We are a humble people in Cork.

On Canada, we intend to open an Ireland House in Toronto. I visited Canada for the St. Patrick's Day week, specifically because of what the Deputy said. We needed to up our engagement with Canada, which is a very friendly nation. We have the Canadian-European Union free trade deal, which this Dáil has not ratified. It is a matter of deep regret to me that the Dáil was incapable of ratifying a Bill that is to the enormous benefit of companies, small businesses and people. I just do not understand how, in the modern era, our Legislature does not quite get what is the flesh and blood of our economic performance. We went to Canada. I will bear in mind what the Deputy said about Calgary. We have enhanced our presence there. There is a very strong Irish diaspora in Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto. A lot of Irish companies have a presence there. Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia and Tourism Ireland are all there.