Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)

In our dealings with Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - the BRICS countries - we do not have the natural advantage of the kind of relationship we enjoy with Britain, America or Australia, where there are large Irish communities. If we are to achieve the growth rates the Taoiseach talked about today, we must go outside our traditional markets.

It is disappointing that we cannot see the report. Can any element of the report be released? It would be very useful for us to see the benefit of the measure.

There are, possibly, opportunities that are eluding us. For example, at the end of February we will face both a threat and an opportunity. The threat is to our public services. There is also an opportunity in the 7,500 people who will be receiving a lump sum payment. Why do we not look at scenarios where there may well be opportunities for people to invest in a jobs-led initiative where there would be a guaranteed return on their money? The State must be involved. This is the kind of public private partnership that is worth exploring. Can the Minister of State clarify whether part of the KPMG report might be released?

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