Martin Daly welcomes Taoiseach's visit to China, urges open trade
Martin Daly welcomed the Taoiseach's visit to China and set out why the trip matters for Ireland's strategic and economic interests. He argued that as a small trading nation Ireland must keep its options open, develop new markets and raise human rights concerns.
Visit's strategic and economic significance
Martin Daly describes the Taoiseach's China visit as strategically and economically important for Ireland in an increasingly uncertain international climate. He frames the trip as a necessary step to build new trade ties and diversify markets for Irish industry.
Trade and market diversification
Daly emphasises that, as a small trading nation, Ireland must continually develop new markets and links overseas, including with China. He stresses the need to grow indigenous industries at home while forging international trading relationships based on agreed rules.
Human rights and diplomatic balance
While supporting closer economic links, Daly also applauds the Taoiseach for raising deficiencies in human rights in China. He presents this as an expected and important element of Ireland's diplomatic engagement, combining commerce with principled concerns.
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Thanks, Ciann. He's a good man. Taoiseach, I welcome your visit to China. It's an extremely important visit strategically and economically for Ireland in an increasingly uncertain international climate. It's absolutely clear that there are, as has been pointed out, two superpowers in this world at the moment, but that the European Union and other like-minded trading nations need to keep their options open and develop new trade and new ties, based on international rules of trade and politics. It's clear that there is, as a small trading nation, we must keep our options open at all times and develop new markets for our industries that we grow here. And in addition to that, with the growth of more indigenous industries, we need to create links to China, which is a huge market. But I'm also happy that you have taken the opportunity to point out the deficiency in human rights in China, because that is extremely important and something that would be expected of the Irish people of our Taoiseach visiting China. Thank you. I think we just want to make one important point. Deputy Daly referenced that we're a small trading nation. We need to export what we produce and what we make. And I gave the figures earlier. What was interesting, I spoke to Prime Minister Mark Carney yesterday. And in the context of two major powers, polarization between China and US, there is now a growing movement from the European Union, Canada, Australia, other like-minded powers with similar values, rooted in multilateralism, to come closer together. And I welcome Canada's pivot to Europe. And I think we, and under our presidency, we're going to advance that relationship with Canada and the European Union. And that's why deputies in the House should vote for the CETA trade deal, which will create additional jobs for Irish people, has created additional jobs for Irish people, and about a 30% increase in exports for Irish companies. It beggars belief that people oppose it.
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