Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Iran is of global concern as Deputy Boyd Barrett is well aware.

Deputy O'Donovan raised the question of industrialised countries and the potential that exists here, as did Deputy Dara Murphy. I am sure that on the fringes of the G8 summit there will be some opportunities to discuss the matters that the Deputies mentioned here. I hope that at its next meeting the European Council will be able to discuss Syria and Libya. This matter has been of great concern to the French because of the bombs going off at the embassy there, and for the Italian Prime Minister and his relationship with Libya, and to other leaders who raised it at the last meeting and it will be raised again at the next one.

The distressing scenes filmed by UNICEF in Syria speak for themselves. Nobody wants to see this. That is why all these international efforts should be enabled to pay dividends. Deputy Dara Murphy raised the question of the relationship between this country and these leaders. The former vice president of China came here and established a relationship with Ireland because of his interest in the agri-sector in County Clare. He is now the most powerful politician in China and one of the global leaders. He made the point that we signed a strategic partnership agreement and through the efforts of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Coveney, and his Department, Ireland is now able to export thoroughbreds directly to China whereas previously they had to spend four months in quarantine in the Netherlands.

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