THE TAOISEACH says he expects tomorrow’s Cabinet meeting to agree a date for the referendum on the fiscal stability treaty and that this will then be announced.
Neither Mr Kenny nor Minister for Jobs Richard Bruton will be in attendance as they are leading a trade and investment mission to China.
“The Government will decide on Tuesday on a date, I expect, and that will be announced by Government immediately after the meeting,” Mr Kenny said on his arrival in Shanghai yesterday.
The Taoiseach, who was speaking at the start of his four-day visit, declined to speculate as to the date likely to be chosen by Cabinet.
However, he has told Fine Gael ministerial colleagues privately in recent weeks that he wanted to see the referendum taking place by the end of May.
Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton has also indicated that the vote is likely to be held either in late May to early June or else late June to early July.
Indicating that his Chinese visit was in response to an invitation extended during vice-president Xi Jinping’s Irish trip last month, Mr Kenny said: “What I want out of this, really, is a win-win situation for Ireland and for China.”
The Taoiseach said there was an enormous opportunity to develop Chinese-Irish relations.
“Trade does not flourish in a vacuum and it is very important that there be a real basis put in place here, building on our own expertise in the area of culture and enterprise and politics and business,” he said.
He added that the essential reason for his trip was to impress upon his Chinese hosts the importance of having a serious player in Ireland, as a potential investor into Ireland and from Ireland into Europe.
The Taoiseach wanted to highlight the opportunity that exists in China, with its growth rate, for Irish companies keen to export goods and services there. This was not a short-term process.
“It’s a case of having patience with confidence and, my message to Irish companies coming out here is to build on the experience of those who have been successful to date, to work very hard at what it is that we do best, that is building relationships around the central issue of business.
“I would define success by increased business for Irish companies exporting out of Ireland and the attraction of Ireland as a location for serious investment by Chinese investors for development in Ireland and development into Europe.”
Asked if he thought the Mahon tribunal report had damaged Ireland’s image in a business context with China, he said: “Clearly, I would assume that Chinese business would look at this as the conclusion of a long and sorry saga in Ireland, and my message to them is that we are a serious Government dealing with serious issues in a serious way, and we want to build on that foundation from here on with our Chinese colleagues.”
In an address at a Shanghai hotel to the trade and investment delegation representing 90 Irish firms and institutes, Mr Kenny said: “It is vital to our national interests that our mission here in China is a resounding success. Our objectives are clear – we are intent on strengthening the vital relationship between Ireland and China.”
By strengthening political and commercial relations with China, Ireland could benefit enormously in terms of tourism, investment and trade, he said..
The Taoiseach travels on to Beijing today.
