Ladies and Gentlemen, I am delighted to be back in Warsaw and to be meeting with members of the Irish business community here, which means not only Irish people but also friends of Ireland.
My last visits here were in the first half of 2005 and I am conscious that many exciting changes have occurred for Poland since then. The economy here has grown strongly and likewise Poland has grown into its role as a member of EU of 27. I look forward to reviewing these developments and to discussing current EU issues during my meetings later today with Prime Minister Tusk.
Ireland and Poland have grown even closer over the same period, including through high level visits such as that last year by President Kaczynski. We have been happy to welcome many Polish people to Ireland who have made an important and valuable contribution to our economy and to our society. At the community level, the presence and inputs of Polish people are already translating into many new and wonderful cultural, artistic and social exchanges.
Irish people, with our own long history of going abroad to find jobs and opportunities, know first-hand what it is like to be away from family and friends.
We also know that the experience of being abroad becomes a much more positive one when people can express themselves, can use their talents and qualifications to best effect, and feel they are making a valued contribution. That it is why my Government has been pursuing a range of measures to encourage the new members of our community to integrate into Irish society.
The many thousands of Polish people now making a new home in Ireland represent the largest new community there by some distance. They are making a major contribution to our economy, not only through their employment but also through their personal and business activities. These offer the exciting prospect of larger-scale trading relationships evolving over the coming years. And if our own experience is anything to go by, many of these “new Irish” will return to Poland over the years ahead, further cementing the bonds between our two countries.
Our trading relationship is an area where I see particular promise and opportunity for even stronger relations. Trade in goods between us has grown enormously in recent years, and now exceeds €600 million per annum. Almost 70% of this is exports from Ireland to Poland. Bilateral trade in services is also growing strongly, and I expect that services will continue to be an important growth area for both our countries in the years ahead.
Poland’s membership of the EU since 2004 is undoubtedly an important factor underpinning these very welcome developments. However, they have also been brought about by the talent and vision of many of you who are here today. Successful enterprise depends on those who make the contacts, build the commercial relationships and develop the markets for trade. I pay tribute to the many Irish and Polish people working so well together and wish you all every success in the future.
I also want to pay tribute to those who have been involved in the establishment of the Irish Chamber of Commerce in Poland and in its work since summer 2005. The Chamber is represented here today by board members Tom McGrath, Mark Twomey and Brian Walsh. It is a further sign that Irish-Polish business relationships are prospering and maturing and I also wish it every future success.
As you will be aware, Poland’s future growth is sure to offer many interesting openings for Irish business. These will include the major infrastructure projects which will come on stream with assistance from EU funds, as well as opportunities from Poland’s co-hosting of the EURO 2012 soccer championships. In pursuing these, I encourage you to avail of the help and assistance which is available from Ambassador O’Donovan and his Embassy team and from Karen Cohalan and her colleagues at Enterprise Ireland’s Warsaw Office.
I hope that our involvement in EURO2012 will not only be commercial, but that the Irish soccer team and supporters will be present to enhance what I am sure will be a tremendous sporting occasion.
I thank you all for being here today and look forward to meeting with some of you later this morning.
ENDS