The ball’s in your court now, Enda

China’s heir apparent Xi Jinping invited the Taoiseach to Beijing next month as Enda Kenny heralded a new relationship between Ireland and the economic superpower.

Mr Xi praised Ireland’s ability to deal with its financial problems after the two leaders signed trade and innovation deals.

He said he remembered an Irish saying he had heard on his last visit to the country: “Good goods come in small parcels,” and this was now how he viewed Ireland.