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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 13 Hansard (9 December) . . Page.. 4111 ..

MR HUMPHRIES (continuing):

The economic good times are there for the people of Ireland, Mr Speaker, but that's not to say the challenges are not still there. In fact, as Mr Quinlan and I noted, there is a growing view among elements of the workforce, such as nurses and police, that they want a greater share of the economic growth. The pressure this will create on the climate of industrial co-operation will be an interesting area to watch in the next months.

Even as recently as yesterday, I note that the Irish Government is having real difficulties getting its Budget through the Parliament, because it contains selective tax rises and does not meet demands for substantial increases in social security payments. Perhaps, when we were there, we could have explained to them the idea of a Draft Budget!

Mr Speaker, the final report has been compiled with the assistance of Mr Frank O'Rourke - a member of the Business delegation. It deals with the itinerary undertaken by the delegation, and the many things we all learnt from each of those visits and meetings.

The exposure this delegation gives to Canberra is also significant. Media coverage of the visit in Ireland gave us an opportunity to explain the benefits of doing business in Canberra and also explain the beauties of the national capital.

Of course, Mr Speaker, the people of Canberra have a close connection with Ireland. We have a higher rate of descent from the Irish than any other city in Australia, and the Irish community in Canberra is colourful, well-represented and active among our ethnic communities.

Mr Speaker, I would like to end with a series of thank yous to people who assisted in putting this delegation together.

Firstly, I'd like to thank the Irish Ambassador to Australia, Richard O'Brien, and the Australian Ambassador to Ireland, Bob Halverson, for their support in making the delegation happen and helping us achieve a significant itinerary of meetings with people who were able to give us a very good understanding of what we needed to know, as well as connect us with some important business contacts in Ireland.

I also want to acknowledge Bob Halverson's staff at the Australian Embassy in Dublin, in particular Tom Sinkovits and Barbara Waters, for their outstanding support to the entire delegation during the trip.

I'd like to thank my fellow delegates, in particular, Mr Quinlan, for their support during the trip. And I'd like to thank the Chairman of CanTrade, Jim Murphy, for his work in securing a number of events

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