Mary White (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister and congratulate him on his very successful election campaign and triumph in bringing in three candidates with him. It was an excellent result and it is to be hoped we will be able to do the same in the future.

I speak here today as the democratically elected nominee to the Oireachtas of the Irish Exporters Association and co-founder of an export driven company in the agrifood sector, namely, Lir Chocolates which started in the kitchen in a house in the Minister's constituency in Dundrum just over 20 years ago. Today it employs 250 people in Navan and creates tremendous economic and social benefits for the people of Navan and County Meath.

When one examines the different contributors to the Irish economy in the forecast for this year one will find they are all negative, with the single exception of exports of goods and services. Consumer spending, Government spending and capital investment are all expected to decrease in 2011. The only bright spot in the entire economy is the positive record and promising outlook for exports of goods and services which is projected by the ESRI to grow by 10%.

I take this opportunity to highlight the potential of two exporting sectors. The agrifood sector in which I am directly involved has demonstrated great resilience. Exports grew by some €500 million last year to €6.8 billion. They are projected to be buoyant again this year, based on global demand and its proactive and entrepreneurial approach in foreign markets. I would like to acknowledge the contribution of the staff of Bord Bia and its chief executive Mr. Aidan Cotter. The initiative of the former Minister, Brendan Smith, six months ago in the Food Harvest 2020 programme highlights the enormous output and export potential of our indigenous agrifood sector in the coming years.

The second export area I would like to emphasise is tourism. It brings in additional spending to every part of the country and the severe fall of 30% in tourism revenue since 2007 has been felt in every county. As other economies recover and we become more competitive, tourist numbers and revenue are projected to recover from this year on. Every county, in co-operation with Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, can add revenue to their areas by promoting their tourism and heritage attractions. As I travel around the country on my Seanad election campaign, my mantra for the Seanad is inspiring hope, I speak to the county councillors about the opportunities they have to promote heritage and tourism in their areas.

There is a very serious issue to which I wish to draw attention, namely, the plight of the location of the world's first duty free shop and the world's first industrial free zone, Shannon Airport and its hinterland. Aer Lingus ceased flying to the US via Shannon from January to March 2011 and exporters in the region had to ship their goods to Dublin before getting them bound for the US. It is time for a fresh and imaginative look by the new Government at Shannon, its regions and its future.