I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 7 inclusive, together.
I undertook very successful official visits abroad from 14 to 29 September, visiting consecutively Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand. As is the case with all previous visits of this kind, I sought to promote and advance the two priority objectives of the Government.
First, this trip coincided with the recent and ongoing developments of an historic nature towards peace in Northern Ireland. It was particularly appropriate, therefore, that, in the course of my visits, I sought on every suitable occasion to inform our many and influential friends of the present position with regard to the peace process. Similarly, our emigrants had a very natural and keen interest in developments here at home, particularly in Northern Ireland. I, therefore, made a very special effort to address that interest throughout my visits.
I was very heartened by the enormous interest shown and by the support demonstrated for our efforts to consolidate peace, and to work towards an agreed political settlement founded on consent and respect for difference. A huge and informed reservoir of goodwill exists at all levels in Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand for all our efforts in that regard, and I feel privileged to have had the opportunity at this time to channel that goodwill towards meaningful and constructive effect.
Second, I sought in direct contact with leading political and business people to promote increased investment into Ireland, increased inward tourism, increased exports and, on that basis, increased job creation. My efforts in that regard were, of course, greatly facilitated by the new era of peace. I have no doubt that, as a result, the task of selling Ireland as a location for inward investment will be made easier. Indeed, my visits suggest strongly to me that a whole new perception is now developing in the minds of many people with regard to Ireland as a holiday destination and a secure investment location. In terms of promoting the peace process, inward investment and increased job creation here, my visits were extremely successful.
On Northern Ireland, I briefed the Governor of Hong Kong, Mr. Chris Patten, on the Government's approach and response to the recent IRA ceasefire announcement. We had a most constructive discussion on Northern Ireland, recognising that, at the outset, the peace process has been well founded on constructive and friendly relations between the Irish and British Governments.
My discussions with the governor also included a briefing by him on the current political and economic situation in Hong Kong and developments towards its handover to China in 1997. He stressed the intention of the British Government that all arrangements in that regard would proceed smoothly.
While in Australia, I had discussions with Prime Minister Keating, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Alexander Downer, the Western Australia State Premier, Mr. Richard Court, the premier of Victoria, Mr. Jeff Kennett, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition there, Mr. Dimitrios Dolos, the Premier of New South Wales. Mr. John Fahey and the Australia/Ireland Parliamentary Group. These meetings with the leading people in Australia's political life focused principally on Northern Ireland and Irish-Australian relations in the economic and trade spheres.
In my discussions with Prime Minister Keating, I briefed him fully on recent developments in the peace process, on the efforts being made to consolidate it, and on the progress being made by the Irish and British Governments to agree a joint framework document that would constitute our shared understanding on the broad outlines of a settlement. The Prime Minister expressed a strong desire to assist in a meaningful way our efforts towards an agreed political accommodation in an environment of peace. Recognising that economic rejuvenation in deprived areas is a fundamental part of the peace process, he pledged seven million Australian dollars to the International Fund for Ireland over the next five years. The Government is deeply appreciative of this tangible expression of support and I was most pleased that the decision received a warm welcome from the Opposition Leader there, Mr. Alexander Downer, who has also been very supportive of the fund since its inception. Prime Minister Keating shares the strong desire of many Australians that the momentum towards an agreed settlement in an atmosphere of peace must be sustained. He, like President Clinton, wishes to promote agreement between the divided people of Ireland in a spirit of constructive friendship and genuine affection for both Nationalists and Unionists.
My principal public engagement in Canberra was an address to the National Press Club which was followed by a lengthy question and answer session. These were carried live on nationwide television. I very much welcomed that opportunity to speak directly to members of the Australian media on developments in Ireland. Much of my address and the subsequent questioning related to Northern Ireland. I dealt in considerable detail with the peace process and on our efforts to achieve political agreement between the two traditions here.
The issue of peace in Northern Ireland and the role which Australians can play towards its consolidation were at the heart of major speeches I made to the Irish Club in Perth, at a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Keating in Canberra, and in my address to the Australian-Ireland Fund Dinner.
While in New Zealand, I also availed of every suitable occasion to promote the peace process and an agreed political accommodation. In my discussions with Prime Minister Jim Bolger, the issue of Northern Ireland featured prominently. He showed a strong personal interest in recent developments and assured me of his Government's desire to assist our efforts. To this end, he announced a further contribution of three-hundred thousand New Zealand dollars to the International Fund for Ireland. This is New Zealand's third contribution to the fund. I expressed the Government's deep gratitude for this additional gesture of support, serving to demonstrate yet again the very real commitment of the international community to progress the peace process. Prime Minister Bolger expressed the hope, now realised, that the IRA ceasefire announcement would be followed by a complete cessation of violence on all sides, thus facilitating quicker and more effective progress on political issues. I held discussions with the Acting Leader of the Opposition there, Mr. David Caygill. He, too, demonstrated great interest in the peace process and shares all our hopes that an agreed political settlement will be achieved soon. I also paid a courtesy call on the Governor General, Dame Catherine Tizard.
As I have already stated, the second priority of my visits to Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand focused on increased job creation here, by promoting Ireland as a location for investment in the manufacturing and services areas, particularly tourism. Throughout my visits, I sought, whenever appropriate, to encourage expansion of our excellent bilateral relations in the economic and trade spheres.
While in Hong Kong, I had meetings with a number of prospective investors here. Owing to strong international competition for such investment, the names of the companies must remain confidential. I also addressed the Curragh Club, comprising a group of Irish business and professional people for which the Irish Trade Board provides a secretariat. My speech centred on the investment opportunities offered by Ireland in the context of our geographical location, our highly-skilled workforce, our strong macro-economic performance and our membership of the EU, the ERM and the European Monetary Union.
My visit to Australia comprised 23 engagements in Perth, Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney. Most of these were of an economic or trade nature. My principal engagements in Perth included an address to the Irish-Australian Business Association and to the Irish Club there.
My meeting with Prime Minister Keating in Canberra naturally focused on economic issues as well as Northern Ireland, particularly on our bilateral relations in the trade and services areas. He expressed the view that Australia's geographical position relative to the Asia-Pacific area and Ireland's location as a gateway to Europe constitute powerful reasons for improvement in our bilateral relationship. The Prime Minister referred to Australia's significant investment in Ireland. I drew his attention to the principal macro-economic indicators here, placing special emphasis on our corporate tax rate being guaranteed to the year 2010. In response, he underlined Australia's success in attracting European investment from companies wishing to capitalise on the development potential of the Pacific Rim and in that regard, Australia holds unique opportunities for Irish firms seeking to expand their overseas operation to that region.
The Prime Minister provided an update on the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation, APEC. Australia, like Ireland, has a strong interest in a liberal world trading system and to that end, the Prime Minister views the early ratification of GATT as highly desirable. Apart from APEC's commitment to developing and strengthening the open, multilateral trading system, it was clear from my discussions that the Australian Government regards it as a unifying force in a region beset with historical and economic divisions. In that context, our discussions also covered European Union matters.
I raised with the Prime Minister the present situation in East Timor, recognising that public opinion on this issue is particularly strong in Ireland. Prime Minister Keating assured me that the Australian Government is using its influence with the Indonesian Government to effect positive change, particularly in relation to a reduction in troop levels and to expand access to East Timor for human rights organisations and the international media.
In my address to the National Press Club in Canberra, I placed special emphasis on Ireland's advantages as a location for overseas companies, particularly on the large number of tax and other incentives available to companies who wish to locate their European operations here for exporting to the Single European Market.
I addressed the Irish-Australian Chamber of Commerce in Melbourne on a similar theme. While in Sydney, I spoke at a luncheon hosted by Bord Fáilte and An Bord Tráchtála, placing special emphasis on the unique attractions of Ireland as a holiday destination.
While in New Zealand, my meeting with Prime Minister Bolger covered economic and trade matters, as well as Northern Ireland. He stressed the importance of building "people-links" between our respective countries, drawing a comparison with existing links between New Zealand and Malaysia. We, therefore, agreed to examine the possibility of developing bilateral working holiday arrangements, with a view to enhancing even further the very warm bilateral relationship which exists at present. The Prime Minister referred to the opportunity for greater investment and trade between Ireland and New Zealand by virtue of our respective memberships of the EU and APEC.