Results 4,801-4,820 of 9,147 for speaker:Pat Breen

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: We have a quorum. Apologies have been received from Deputy Olivia Mitchell and Senator Deirdre Clune. I remind members and those in the visitors' gallery to ensure their mobile telephones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting, as they cause interference with the recording equipment even when on silent mode. I am anxious to get the meeting started because Priority...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with IBEC and IEA (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: I welcome from the Irish Business and Employers Confederation, IBEC, Dr. Pat Ivory, head of international relations, Ms Paula O'Dwyer, senior executive in trade and regional policy, and, Mr. Brendan Butler, director of policy and international affairs. I also welcome from the Irish Exporters Association, Mr. John Whelan, chief executive officer, and Mr. Michael Slein, vice president. This...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with IBEC and IEA (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: I am delighted IBEC is supporting the Africa strategy because in the coming months many African politicians will come to Ireland. Yesterday we met the Congolese Minister for the Environment, while this morning I met a senior trade official at the Ethiopian embassy. There is huge growth in Africa. I am delighted to welcome Mr. John Whelan from the Irish Exporters Association which has, for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with IBEC and IEA (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: Of all the BRIC countries, has Russia the fastest growing trade with Ireland?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with IBEC and IEA (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: Does the Senator have his telephone on? There is some interference.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with IBEC and IEA (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: I will ask the Irish Exporters Association to answer that question and I will come back to the Senator once that is answered.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with IBEC and IEA (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: The Ireland House concept works well in New York at the Consulate General of Ireland office, where IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland are based as well.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with IBEC and IEA (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: Will the delegates from either IBEC or the Irish Exporters Association answer that question?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with IBEC and IEA (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: I will come back to Senator Walsh but some of the other members may wish to comment. Deputy Durkan, do you wish to comment?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with IBEC and IEA (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: I will allow the delegations to answer these two questions from Deputy Durkan and then we can come back to him again. Both organisations can address the questions on Africa and the Irish strategy for the Presidency of the European Council.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with IBEC and IEA (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: We visited its operations in the United States.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with IBEC and IEA (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: Currently, the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Joe Costello, is in South Africa. How important are trade missions and can successful outcomes be identified?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with IBEC and IEA (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: Deputy Eric Byrne asked about trade with the United Kingdom, on which we were always reliant, the universities and institutes of education, as well as our reputation.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with IBEC and IEA (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: Does anybody wish to comment on trade with the UK sector?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with IBEC and IEA (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: I saw at first hand Mercury's concept stadium for the World Cup in Qatar in Doha. Senator Daly travelled on a six-day trip to the US and saw at first hand the link between Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta and here and other universities. Perhaps the Senator will comment on that trip besides putting his question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with IBEC and IEA (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: I should point out this relates to a commercial decision on flights. The Minister supports and encourages better links and has met many groups on the issue. However, it is a commercial decision.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with IBEC and IEA (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: Obviously, the addition of 17 weekly flights to the United Arab Emirates has made a huge difference and the flights are full all the time. What difference has this made for business?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with IBEC and IEA (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: I am referring to the 17 weekly flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi with Emirates and Etihad Airways.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with IBEC and IEA (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: I would like to ask Mr. Whelan a question about what he said about the embassies. We went to America to see how our consulates were working. Obviously, we looked at the latest consul general's office in Atlanta. It is a one-man operation, although there is also a local staff member. It is working extremely well. We also went to Texas, one of the fastest developing states in the United...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with IBEC and IEA (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: We do not have a consulate.