Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Earlier in parliamentary session we were talking about the importance of putting resources into emerging markets so that Ireland can be positioned to take advantage of growth opportunities. When we go on trade missions we bring companies that are seeking to create jobs here at home for Irish people. That is a challenge. We have 12.5% unemployment and the growth is shifting to new markets. When we enter free-trade agreements with countries through the EU, each of those agreements seek to have changes in the way they conduct their businesses. There is a long record that shows opening up to business drives changes and that is the approach we take. When we are on a trade mission with representatives of almost 90 companies seeking to do business, it is not appropriate to use that as the occasion to lecture about changes that ought to happen in those countries; that is a time when we are trying to do business. However, there are other fora where we can legitimately put those issues on the agenda, for example through the human rights forum and through the trade negotiations, which is what we do. There is a proven track record that this is the way to achieve change in human rights as well as enhancing integration of peoples and opportunities across the globe.

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