Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

Before I respond, I wish to apologise, as my mobile phone rang during my opening remarks. There is a faulty button on it; I will have to apply to see if I am entitled to an upgrade.

I welcome the Senators' views on the Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy strategy. The debate was rightly broadened by the speakers to encompass the challenges we, as a people and an economy, face. This strategy is an attempt by Government to bring together all the resources currently available which may perhaps be used in siloed-type activity. It seeks to ensure there is a gelling of the various agencies and use of those resources wherever that is deemed fit and appropriate in the context of finding markets that are suitable for Irish goods and services.

Senator Donohoe made some valid points. He said this document covers everybody and in a sense covers nobody. If one reads through the document, one will note the reference to sectoral areas. For example, there is not much point in our trying to promote exports of food to New Zealand. We must target areas where there is a potential to grow Irish exports. This is not a document that advocates we trade all over the world and that everything will be rosy in Ireland. The strategy is about examining key areas, carrying out an in-depth market analysis and identifying the potential for various sectors and services of the economy. That is the key component in this area. If Senator Donohoe reads the strategy-----