Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Taoiseach's very warm welcome for the new Prime Minister of Canada. I am sure he will also join with me in welcoming the new Canadian ambassador to Ireland Dennis King and his wife Jana, who have just joined us. The Taoiseach's personal commitment to Canada over a long period is very welcome and I look forward to the Government implementing CETA. I understand the memo has been brought to Government but the Taoiseach might outline if it will be fully ratified by the end of this year. It needs to be remembered that over 15,000 people are employed by Canadian companies in Ireland, that over 6,000 people are employed by Irish companies in Canada and that Canada is Ireland's 12th largest trading partner. As the Taoiseach said, Ireland and Canada share so many values.

It surprises me in this House that those warm relationships we have with democratic countries that share our values are attacked so often and yet there are those on the Opposition benches who will never criticise countries like Russia, Iran or Venezuela - countries that certainly do not share our values. Trade is the lifeblood of this economy and having a global economy that has free and fair trade is essential to lift people out of poverty and provide people with employment.

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