Aideen Hayden (Labour)

I welcome the Minister. The Celtic tiger economy was initially based on positive trade growth. I congratulate the members of our permanent representation and embassies around the world on the job they did in those wilderness years, when foreign trade was not receiving the attention it should have from the Government.

I am very impressed by the strategy. In particular, identifying Africa as an area of growth in the longer term is far-seeing. I agree with the concept of using South Africa as the hub of that growth. I suggest-----