Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

Perhaps the Deputy has forgotten that there is a new economic reality. Despite that reality, 125 investments were made last year on the basis of considerable hard work by me, the Ministers of State at my Department and the development agencies in encouraging people to invest here. Equally, we have worked closely with many Irish companies, of which we are singularly proud, in providing new opportunities for them abroad. I have travelled abroad to represent Ireland in the context of our strategy in the Middle East, our strategy in supporting companies within the eurozone, in the United Kingdom, in the United States and, later on in the year, in Australia and Brazil.

My personality is a matter for others to decide. My job is to represent this country abroad and I do so with pride and with the privilege bestowed on me by my Taoiseach. Political charges of that nature perhaps show the ineptitude of some in the Opposition who cannot prove that on this side of the House-----

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