Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)

Senator White raised the issue of job creation. To create jobs, we must continue to grow our exports. That is my main message and focus.

I will include all the positive suggestions that have come from this House. I refer, for example, to using strategic opportunities such as those presented by our chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, OSCE; our participation in the soccer finals next year in Ukraine and Poland and the Olympic Games next year. In the context of the Olympic Games, Senator Walsh asked whether the visa arrangement was reciprocal. Unfortunately, it is not at present, but the discussions are ongoing. However, that proposal originated in Ireland in order that we could use the opportunity provided by the Olympic Games to attract tourists from other countries. The point on Irish bars is another interesting one. We will incorporate all these ideas because we want to use whatever suggestions are coming from across the floor.

In response to the single question from Sinn Féin, Canada is a priority market. There were so many other questions that I will not be able to cover them.

Even though I may not have referred to each country on an individual basis, we have a strong focus on the BRIC countries and the various opportunities they offer. The co-ordinated Africa strategy referred to by Senator Hayden was only published in September and we will be building on that development. I am glad Senator Quinn raised the issue of contact with our representative on the board of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Mr. Eoin Ryan, because he also contacted me in this regard. I am glad this point was raised publicly because there is little awareness of the existence of the bank. There are other international banks with which we are also linked.

I thank Members for their contributions and will revert to them with answers to any questions to which I have not replied.