Ahern welcomes chancellor elect

ADRESSING a function of the German-Irish Chamber of Industry and Commerce to celebrate its 25th anniversary, An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern pointed out the strong links between Ireland and Germany and welcomed Dr Angela Merkel as the new German Chancellor designate.

He stressed that it is important for Europe to see globalisation as an opportunity and said new markets for European businesses are opening up.

Around 200 German companies employ 13,500 people in Ireland and after America and Britain, Germany is Ireland’s biggest trading partner.