Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

When the Taoiseach was in the US he opened a new consulate general office in Atlanta and it was termed to be a strategic long-term development. He indicated that the consulate would be more streamlined than other long established consulates in the United States. Atlanta has a population of 8 million. It is also is the location of the headquarters of Coca-Cola, CNN, DHL and CRH, which is Ireland's largest firm. In the spirit of wanting to continue to foster relations between Ireland the United States - I note the welcome comment from the Minister for Finance that there is no intention of shifting from the 12.5% corporation tax rate - if the consulate is to be more streamlined and strategic, is it intended that personnel from Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland or Tourism Ireland should be seconded to Atlanta to deal at first hand and face to face with opportunities presented, firms, organisations and interest groups that would have an impact in terms of investment or travel to Ireland with obvious consequences for the economy here? The Taoiseach might like to comment on that.

Was there any indication in the Taoiseach's discussions about Ireland's commitment to meeting the millennium development goals of the UN? The summit took place from 20 to 22 September. I do not know whether the Taoiseach was invited to it but I know President Sarkozy and the Prime Ministers of Spain, Canada, the Netherlands, Denmark and Japan attended it.

An interesting point was raised by Deputy Barrett here yesterday. He said that we have a great number of young qualified brilliant people in the country, many of whom are now unemployed, and that their participation in assisting in other countries could be deemed to be part of the contribution that Ireland would make. I am aware there is a difficulty with the economic situation and that we are committed to the 0.7% of GNP contribution by 2015. In the Taoiseach's discussions in the United States with Irish-Americian interests, Major Bloomberg or whoever, was this matter raised or did the Taoiseach have any opportunity to reflect on that? As a small country we have made a massive impact internationally in this regard and perhaps the point made by the Deputy Barrett should be worthy of consideration.

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