Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Taoiseach's visit to Japan, particularly the theme of developing a very strong, deep and enduring relationship with the Japanese people. Of course, he will acknowledge that this has been a historic feature of our relationship going back 60 years. Much work has been done over the years, particularly on the academic and research side. I pay tribute to the Higher Education Authority and Science Foundation Ireland for some of the work they have been doing. They deserve credit for much of the work that has now led to a formal research partnership, which I warmly welcome.

I have been on a number of trade missions to Japan in a previous role as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. We were the first to initiate the idea of companies from Northern Ireland coming along on an Enterprise Ireland trade mission. Out of that experience has come my view that if one is looking for a new North-South body relating to indigenous enterprise and companies in the Republic and Northern Ireland, like the tourism agenda and selling the island of Ireland abroad, there is much to be said for synergies between the two bodies in terms of promoting companies on the island in far-flung areas like China and Japan. It pools resources, makes the marketing arm and footprint of Enterprise Ireland available to companies in Northern Ireland, makes the marketing expertise and footprint of Invest Northern Ireland available to companies in the Republic and gives them wider opportunities to travel on trade missions to sell their products, goods and services. It is one area that should be pursued in terms of rejuvenating the North-South agenda. There is much that could happen there without threatening anybody or anyone's political perspectives because I have no doubt that companies, as the Taoiseach has probably experienced, really have no issues with that at all and welcome the opportunity to gain access. When one combines our respective diplomatic networks with the enterprise agencies, one can achieve a lot for the companies involved, particularly those Irish indigenous companies that want to export and gain increased sales. I welcome that joint endeavour with the Northern Ireland Executive and companies.

Does the Taoiseach have the up-to-date position regarding Japanese foreign direct investment? From the 1970s and 1980s, a wave of Japanese companies came to Ireland. The benefit of Japanese companies in Ireland is that they have been very loyal, notwithstanding the up and down nature of the economic cycle. They have a different approach and tend to stay in for the long haul once they come to a country, particularly Ireland. I have a sense that initial wave has not been replicated. I am not criticising anybody other than to say that I would have thought our footprint could have been stronger from an IDA Ireland perspective. It is stronger now. The question is whether we are getting the level and volume of foreign direct investment we could expect and whether we could improve on that. Is the Government committed to providing the funding to IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland and is it satisfied that the backup and resources from a personnel perspective are sufficient and strong enough to reflect the push that must be made to get investment from Asia? The 21st century will be about Asia in terms of economic growth and development so we must be there.

I warmly welcome the opening of the beef market. That has been a long journey of negotiations and lobbying going back to the initial outbreak of BSE. The opening of the market is a good outcome for all our veterinary staff and those who worked hard behind the scenes. It will not be an easy market because standards are extremely high in Japan.

It is the best market to which to export if one wants to test the quality of one's products. They will not survive if they are not up to the mark. The opening up of that market to Irish beef is a welcome step and, hopefully, will provide greater diversity to our farmers, exporters and food companies.

The Taoiseach met Vice President Biden on his visit to Japan. I do not know whether it would be appropriate to-----

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