Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

I may drop the Taoiseach or the appropriate Minister a note on the difficulties of the pork producer, who has been in contact with me, in getting his produce into markets in China.

I put it in a slightly different way from other Deputies who have spoken on this issue. I appreciate and understand well Ireland's status and reputation internationally given our history and we are in a unique position to raise these issues of human rights abuses and other injustices, and we must do so. My view is one does it, not merely for the optics or rhetoric, but in a way which engages and seeks to have the problems resolved and mindful also of the integrity of the nation with which one is dealing. Obviously, imprisonment without due process of anyone, particularly of dissidents who are only guilty of using free speech or poetry, is something which is to be deplored. We need to continue raising these matters wherever we come across them, either on this island or anywhere else in the world.

There are unique opportunities, given that we have a functioning Administration in the North, and given that there is a good relationship between the Government and the Executive, and particularly the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, to ensure the fullest co-operation and joined-up position. We should not be in competition, one part of the island with another, in seeking to develop these links. Therefore, I welcome the fact that the Taoiseach was open in promoting the visit by the OFM-DFM in the autumn. In terms of the trade delegation, however, it might be useful to advise as to how such trade delegations would be made up in the future. If there could be a joint, all-island delegation bringing persons from across the island from whatever sector, whether it is software, high-tech, education, agrifood or whatever, that would be very helpful to our own process here and also, obviously, take best advantage of any opportunities in China.

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