Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

Would the Taoiseach agree that President Obama has been a very thoughtful and strategic leader, who has given a new status to the concept of multilateralism in the conduct of international relations that is in sharp contrast to previous United States policies? Would he agree that the visit is not just about the issues to which I have alluded? Does he agree that we should not forget that in addition to the thousands of jobs Irish people create in the United States and that United States companies create in Ireland, the United States is a very important market, which is repeatedly in the top three in terms of US citizens buying goods and services that are manufactured by Irish manufacturers as well as services produced by Irish people? In that economic context, I ask the Taoiseach to ensure, if he can, that the US-Ireland research programme which is substantial and an area to which President Obama gives high priority in his own economic renewal programme, gets due recognition during this visit, and that some facilitation of this could be organised around the visit.

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