17 May 2013, 10:49
The Ceann Comhairle is leading a parliamentary delegation in China from Sunday 12 May to Sunday 19 May 2013. The following members comprise the delegation: Ceann Comhairle, Mr. Seán Barrett TD - Speaker of Dáil Éireann (delegation leader). Cathaoirleach, Senator Patrick Burke – Speaker of Seanad Éireann. Mr. Pat Breen, Chair of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade. Mr. Andrew Doyle, Chair of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Mr. Dara Calleary, member of the Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. Mr. John Lyons, Vice-Chairman of the Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Committee. The delegation is visiting China at the invitation of HE Mr. Zhang Dejiang, Chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC).
Today the Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett TD, Cathaoirleach Senator Paddy Burke and the members of the delegation had a very warm meeting with President Xi Jinping, in which the President said he cherished his memories of his two visits to Ireland, last year as Vice President and previously as Party Secretary in Zhejiang Province. President Xi said that the visit of the Ceann Comhairle and the delegation was both an expression of friendship and a reinforcement of the important relationship that exists between China and Ireland. He also said that visit of this nature encourage the development of mutual understanding and trust which in turn encourage a partnership of mutual benefit. He added that he believes that trade between Ireland and China has a very bright future, including in the areas of food and agribusiness. President Xi spoke fondly of his visit to Co Clare, including the farm visit and the Cliffs of Moher, his experience in Croke Park (in which he mentioned a conversation he had with President McAleese about Gaelic Football) and the special performance of Riverdance. Responding to the Ceann Comhairle’s comment about Ireland’s small size relative to China, he said it is important to understand what the numbers mean: Ireland has far greater influence than a population of 5 million might suggest and Presidents Clinton, Obama and Vice President Biden all have Irish ancestry, and the 80 million people of Irish origin who live abroad are very important. The meeting ran 20 minutes over the 30 minutes allotted for it.
Earlier in the week the Ceann Comhairle and the delegation met the Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Yu Zhengsheng, and had extensive talks with their host, Zhang Dejiang. The talks covered a wide range of issues of mutual interest to Ireland and China.
The delegation has visited a number of Irish companies operating in the Chinese market, current and potential investors, as well as a number of economic development projects nominated by the National People’s Congress. The delegation also attended an open day for University students and other young people at the Irish Embassy, which promoted Ireland as a high quality education destination.
Attached please find a link to some photos of the meeting.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oireachtas/sets/72157633516566114/
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Further information: Verona Ni Bhroinn, Press and PRO, 087 2624132