Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

I agree there is great potential to develop our trading links with China and the rest of Asia. For example, Vietnam is emerging from a difficult time. We must also be mindful of human rights abuses and there is an onus on the Government and everyone else to raise these issues in a way that can assist their being resolved. I also have concerns about the plight of the people of Tibet.

Having said that, Sinn Féin welcomed Vice President Xi Jinping's visit and the Taoiseach's subsequent visit to China. They were good initiatives. The First Minister and Deputy First Minister have been part of this engagement and Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness are to travel to China in the autumn. The maximum amount of co-operation across this island in developing our links and opening up markets would be good for everyone across Ireland.

I have two questions. First, Ireland has a global reputation for the production of high-quality food, one aspect of which is its agrifood sector. I am advised by a number of producers of Irish-processed pork that they are having difficulties getting access to the Chinese market. I wondered whether this matter arose during the Taoiseach's visit.

Second, as the Taoiseach may know, the Chinese firm SATIR is based in Dundalk and plans to invest €30 million and create as many as 200 jobs. This would represent the largest Chinese investment in our economy to date. Given the fact that Dundalk has suffered badly from job losses at Diageo and Vodafone, this is good news. Did the Taoiseach meet representatives of SATIR when he was in China?

I wish to raise a final point. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for his indulgence. I understand that there are plans for a trade delegation later this year. Will the Taoiseach give us some details of that?

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