John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I wish to share time with Deputy Noel O'Flynn. I welcome the opportunity to raise an issue of some practical significance to the country and the economy. Ireland has a practical and developing relationship with Taiwan within the framework of its overall policy position on relations with countries in the region. Many European countries have established a well-staffed representative office in Taiwan as a fundamental part of the policy to develop economic trade there, while also developing a relationship with China. The staffing of these offices ranges from five people for Austria and Belgium, to 29 for Germany and as many as 53 for the United Kingdom and 55 for France. In addition, the European Union has a large office in Taiwan with more than 50 staff.

Ireland should upgrade the scale and scope of its presence in Taiwan as the foundation stone upon which better economic and social relations can be built. Taiwan encourages freedom of movement internationally. Based on the spirit of the 1944 Chicago convention on international civil aviation, Taiwan has granted visa exemption to 38 countries, including 24 of 27 EU member states. Ireland is one of 27 European countries currently enjoying a 30-day visa-exempt entry arrangement into Taiwan, a privilege it has enjoyed since 2003.

Visa exemption is a powerful means to enhance trade relations. Total annual trade between Ireland and Taiwan stands at approximately €1 billion, of which almost €250 million is accounted for by Taiwan's imports from Ireland. Taiwan is one of the world's most robust economies and is the world's sixteenth largest economy. Its trade surplus is quite substantial and its foreign reserves are among the world's largest. Ireland is not reaching its potential for trade with Taiwan. In the current international economic climate and at a time when our economy is in decline and needs all the support and stimulus available, the impetus must surely be for Ireland to take the initiative and further develop trade links.

Visa exemption is a powerful means by which to enhance the tourism trade. Some 260,000 Taiwanese travel to Europe each year. Surveys in Taiwan indicate this number would be considerably higher were it not for prohibitive visa regimes. Following the introduction of a visa waiver scheme for Taiwan nationals visiting Japan in 2005, tourist numbers visiting Japan rose by 30%. Taiwan people that travel overseas are generally quite wealthy and have proven to be valuable tourists who contribute strongly to the host country. Visa-free entry to Ireland would attract an increasing number of Taiwan tourists visiting Europe and the UK. If Ireland lifted its visa barrier and could attract a small percentage of visitors to Europe, it would be a substantial gain for the tourist industry in view of visitor purchasing power.

Now is the time to take the initiative on the tourism front. Following the UK announcement of a six-month visa-free entry system, Taiwanese interest in visiting the UK has soared. Tour operators are now introducing a whole range of new travel packages. This is a great potential source of new and immediate revenue. A visa waiver to visit Ireland would certainly attract a proportion of Taiwanese visitors to the UK to also visit Ireland.

In the area of education the difficulties for students attaining an entry visa imposes a particular handicap on any student considering visiting Ireland. That the existing entry requirements into the UK are a good deal easier than attaining a visa to come to Ireland is evident from the fact that some 8,500 students from Taiwan travel to the UK every year, and make a contribution of more than £1 billion to the UK economy. Increasing the international student market should be a key short-term objective for the educational sector. Travelling Taiwanese students are well educated, highly motivated and adequately financed. They should become a key market for our educational institutions. However, we are a good deal behind our main competitors in this market, and with the introduction of a new six-month visa-free entry in the UK, Ireland is now in danger of being completely excluded from this market. Time is of the essence in this issue. We must avail of the window of opportunity and act now.

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