Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

I was interested in asking this question when I looked at the Estimates for the Taoiseach's Department which indicated that €321,000 had been set aside for the Newfoundland and Labrador business partnership in 2005, which is an increase of 3% on 2004. I hear what the Taoiseach is saying about co-operation and the large proportion of the population of Irish extraction. What employment has been offered in Newfoundland by Irish companies establishing there? I understand that at 15%, it has one of the highest unemployment rates in Canada. Has the Government been able to offer employment in Ireland for people from Newfoundland and, if so, are there figures to indicate its success? This area of responsibility was transferred from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to the Department of the Taoiseach. Does the Taoiseach consider that is where the partnership belongs, is a review taking place or is there an indication it might revert to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment given the large trade factor involved in the agreement?

See this speech in context