Gilmore’s call to boost country’s reputation

TÁNAISTE Eamon Gilmore pressed Irish ambassadors to help restore our economic sovereignty and stop the severe battering of the country’s reputation abroad.

The Labour leader also backed calls for Europe to come up with a more comprehensive plan to address financial crises in member states.

Addressing 72 Irish ambassadors who arrived yesterday for a two-day conference, Mr Gilmore reiterated the message that the country was open for business.

Embassy representatives were informed of plans for a new trade council to help boost exports as well as efforts to tap emerging markets for business abroad.

During his speech to ambassadors at Iveagh House, Dublin, and in an apparent swipe at fellow EU member states and demands being made on Ireland, Mr Gilmore also said: “Irish ambassadors, and their missions, have been the face of the Irish Government abroad at a time when Ireland’s international reputation has taken a severe battering.

“That cannot have been easy,” he said.

“We also know that friends and allies had fallen away, just when we most needed them.”

He said Ireland was committed to repaying its debts under the IMF/EU loan and that the country would return to the markets.

He pointed out that prices and rents had fallen here and that our low corporation tax of 12.5% would remain.

Employers and their representatives spoke at the conference yesterday, including IBEC and the Irish Exporters Association as well advisors to the Tánaiste.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny will addressthe ambassadors today as will Trade Minister Jan O’Sullivan and Enterprise Ireland officials.

Pressing ambassadors yesterday to sell Ireland’s good image abroad, Mr Gilmore said preparations were underway for Ireland’s hosting of the EU presidency in 2013, which would be used to boost Ireland’s image.

Mr Gilmore though noted recent comments by the IMF, one of Ireland’s bailout lenders, that the decisions the government were taking to restore the economy “should be supported by a more comprehensive European plan”.

Speaking afterwards to a reporter, he also said:

“Our problem is not just a stand alone problem, there is a European dimension to it.”

Referring to Ireland’s bid to get a cut on the bailout loan interest rate and the overall euro crisis, he added: “The European institutions have to continue to work at Europe wide solutions to these problems.”