Kenny should play his China card

The failure of EU leaders to agree on a budgetary strategy is ominous for Ireland’s economic future.

Enda Kenny should now work on plan B. This involves a visit to Beijing with a tempting offer to China — the development of the Shannon Estuary into a world class shipping hub for deep water transport. The potential oil and gas reserves on our sea shelf, extending into the Atlantic for 800 miles. is enormous. The Chinese have the capacity and money to exploit this.

Hydro Electric dams on the Shannon, similar to those on China’s Yellow River, would provide enough electricity for the entire island. As a final carrot we should offer China a military servicing site on the Shannon. A word of warning for Mr Kenny.