Seanad debates

Thursday, 22 September 2011

10:30 am

Photo of Fidelma Healy EamesFidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

I appreciate that yesterday the Cathaoirleach could not permit me to speak at the time. It is interesting to hear the point made by Senator Bacik today because I support the call for a debate with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade on Irish-China relations. A number of weeks ago I attended a conference in the Institute of European Affairs. The attendance included people from China looking to do business with Ireland but also Irish entrepreneurs looking to do business with China. I learned that Ireland has no bilateral trade agreement with China. For that reason we are falling way behind. China has $2.85 trillion in foreign reserves ready to invest. We have 450,000 people out of work and 1,000 young people are leaving our shores every week. We must consider how we can capitalise on opportunities. The Chinese are interested in us because we offer them an opportunity of having a gateway to Europe. We are the only English-speaking country in the eurozone. There could be mutual benefit for both countries.

I strongly encourage the Leader to ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to come to the House as soon as possible in order to have a debate on how Ireland could benefit from a formal relationship with China. The trade missions of themselves are not enough. We need formal relations with China. The European Union does not have an overall policy as regards China. It seems the Chinese prefer to deal with us rather than be dependent on the US dollar.

On another point, the presidential campaign has shown that the nomination process is flawed.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.