Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Adams raised a couple of important points. First, I did have the opportunity to refer to the tensions that exist between China and Japan in regard to the Senkaku-Diaoyu islands in the East China Sea.

I pointed out that as a very small country in comparison to the populations in China and Japan, we have had some experience of difficulties and troubles and how they might be resolved by dialogue and negotiation rather than confrontation or unwanted events. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Dame Catherine Ashton, has already visited there on a number of occasions, as indeed has Vice President Biden, which was the subject of a different question. For our part, I said that after 30 years of difficult and tension-filled periods, the Good Friday Agreement was put in place. The prime minister was conscious of that although they are clearly enormous powers in their respective areas.

It is important to note that from a cultural point of view, the name of Lafcadio Hearn is of significant importance in Japan and that the Japanese people through the ambassador are anxious to contribute to the provision of a cultural garden in Tramore in County Waterford because of Lafcadio Hearn's impact on Japanese literature and culture. It is important that we note that the first western adviser to a Japanese emperor was an Irishwoman called Eileen Kato who was originally from Crossmolina, married a Japanese diplomat and had an important responsibility in advising the emperor before she passed away. Obviously, the status of the emperor of Japan changed after the Second World War.

Deputy Adams is correct when he points out that the populations are of enormous significance. This is why the Government is looking at opening an embassy in Jakarta and is trying to impact to a greater extent what we can do in Japan, China and other countries. We are always happy as a Government to assist the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister. It happened in China and Japan. During our Presidency, we were happy to have some personnel from Northern Ireland in the permanent representation in Brussels so that they were fully acquainted with what was going on. The Bruton-Foster visit to Singapore was important in respect of the potential to supply goods and services to many of these areas. I hope that this can continue.

It is important for the House to reflect on what is happening with the debate between Europe and Great Britain and the debate between Northern Ireland and Europe because there are implications depending on what the Scottish people do in their referendum later this year and what the future holds. One can very quickly see the impact of many of these things in the Swiss constitutional vote in respect of migrant workers and the impact of that on the European Union and its attitude. It is important that we understand that these things have implications and that we need a debate and understanding between the Government, the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister relating to Northern Ireland and the wider context.

Some of the companies I met in Tokyo and Osaka were major operations. I recall the "Origin Green: Natural and sustainable Irish Food and Drink" breakfast I had with many of the companies. They are very intrigued by the quality and standards of Irish food. Some of the financial people are extraordinarily wealthy in terms of their capacity to invest. I came across quite a number of young Irish engineers working for different firms in Japan, learning new ways, having different experiences and also contributing to the challenge of the frontiers of both the digital world, mechanics, engineering, physics and all these things that are having an impact on us.

I had never been to Japan before and I must say that I found Japanese people to be absolutely respectful, really interested in a country like Ireland and very anxious to understand the philosophy driving Ireland and to do business with us as a gateway into the EU. From the Government's perspective, we will follow through with visits by other Ministers to build on these relationships, which will yield benefit for our people in terms of jobs here and our economy in the times ahead.

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