Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

I congratulate the Taoiseach on the success of the mission to China. I especially congratulate him on managing to coincide with the All-Stars visit. I presume I will see him in Parnell Park under floodlights on Saturday evening.

In so far as it is possible to answer this question, will the Taoiseach indicate to the House what was the balance in terms of the success of the mission as regards investment in China and investment by China here in terms of trade?

What is the Government's attitude to the question of a consulate in Hong Kong, the location of the greatest number of Irish citizens in the south-east Asia region? Further, what is the Government's attitude to the issue of the EU arms embargo? Is it the Government's view that the Chinese Government has sufficiently met these requirements? Will the Taoiseach inform the House whether he raised the issue of human rights abuses in China? If so, was it a perfunctory compliance with the necessity to do so or did serious exchanges on the issue take place?

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