Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

The beef is in the country's improved reputation. It is fair to point out that, when we took office in March, Ireland had suffered considerable damage to its international reputation and the weekly reports we got on what was being said about Ireland in the international press made for embarrassing reading. I am happy to say that this situation has been turned around. Our strategy is aimed at restoring the country's reputation and has been pursued successfully in Europe through my work and that of the Taoiseach and the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs. We have made a concerted effort across Europe to improve the country's reputation. The convening of the meeting of the heads of mission formed part of that strategy, as did our briefings for other countries' diplomatic representatives to Ireland, the programme of visits we have undertaken to a range of countries, the convening of the global Irish network and our joined-up approach to trade promotion. The Export Trade Council will co-ordinate our entire trade operation across Departments. This format is replicated at a country level where our ambassadors will act as team leaders for those countries in which we have representation, be it in the form of embassies or agencies. Even though we will have a small presence in individual countries, our representation and impact will get the greatest bang for our limited buck.

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