Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Oireachtas itself should take some credit for that trade deal as well. Some time ago, the then Ceann Comhairle, Deputy Seán Barrett, and I, as the then Cathaoirleach of this House, led a delegation to China, along with members of the various joint Oireachtas committees including the former Deputy, John Lyons, and Deputies Breen, Doyle and Calleary. The then Chinese ambassador, Mr. Luo Linquan, was adamant that this would be a delegation of the Chairs of both Houses and the Chairs of the joint committees. At the other end, we had our own ambassador, Mr. Declan Kelleher, who was based in Beijing, who is now our European ambassador and who was heavily involved in the Brexit negotiations.We met the president of China, Xi Jinping, and five members of the standing ruling committee of China. It was unbelievable to think that a delegation from Ireland could meet five of the ruling standing committee. Our agenda included opening up of the beef trade and allowing horses to be exported directly from Ireland to China, because at that time horses had to be quarantined in Europe before they could go on to China. That ban was lifted and now horses can go straight from Ireland to China and the beef trade deal has been agreed. Sometimes when credit is being given, the power of the Oireachtas itself can be underestimated. I have no doubt that the Houses of the Oireachtas played a huge role in opening doors on that occasion and probably on several other occasions too. I want to put that on record that sometimes we underestimate the power of the Oireachtas. It was a high-powered delegation, with the Chairs of both Houses and the Chairs of the joint committees who met the president in China, and it was well received. I thank the Chinese ambassador to Ireland at the time, H.E. Luo Linquan, and our ambassador, Mr. Declan Kelleher, who played a huge role at the time. I have no doubt that it prepared the ground over the years for this historic trade deal. We are the first country in Europe to supply beef to China.