Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I put it to the Taoiseach that when I met ambassadors from around the world when they came back to Ireland a year ago, they all clearly articulated the idea that responsibility for trade policy should reside in the Department of Foreign Affairs because it would facilitate greater synergy of approach. From what the Taoiseach said, it seems that is not now happening. This is a mistake. The new title is a misnomer.

Did the Taoiseach discuss with the President the idea of having an E3-type bilateral agreement with Ireland? I successfully negotiated a working holiday agreement between Ireland and the USA and this was the first country to do so. The agreement allows a person to work and travel for up to 12 months, similar to other agreements we have in place. The idea behind bilateral agreements it to try to develop a legal framework for future structured migration in order that we can, at least for the future, avoid creating new generations of undocumented and illegal immigrants.

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