Speech by the Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern T.D, on the occasion of his visit to Dubai Ambulance Services on Thursday, 18 January, 2007 (at 11.45 a.m. local time)

I am delighted to be here today to meet with the representatives of the Dubai Police, the Dubai Ambulance Services, Royal College of Surgeons and Valentia Technologies.

This project is a good example of cooperation between two Irish companies to address the needs of their partners here in the Emirates. Like many of the newer Irish exporters to the UAE, Valentia are bringing the Technology, while RCSI are adding the element for which Ireland is already well known, Education and Training.

RCSI have had a presence in Dubai for a number of years and are very exicted about this new vocational training programme with the Dubai Ambulance Services. I would also like to acknowledge the input of the Dublin Fire Brigade and the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Centre in providing the training programme and certification. Together, they are working to identify opportunities, build partnerships and deliver solutions to the Government of Dubai and its institutions.

We believe that setting up a presence in the region is the best route to market that the Irish Government Trade and Technology agency, Enterprise Ireland, based here in Dubai, recommends to Irish companies in order to be taken seriously, and we are delighted to announce that Valentia Technologies will be setting up an office in Healthcare City over the next few months. This push for Irish companies to set up a presence in Dubai is based on what we see as a very strong similarity between Ireland and the people of the UAE, namely, how we do business. The personal relationship comes first and then people decide if they wish to do business together. 

The importance of the Gulf region to Ireland has grown significantly over the last few years.   Nothing demonstrates this more than the fact that I am leading a trade mission this week with 120 companies participating, the largest trade mission ever to leave Ireland. There are more Irish companies than ever setting up in Dubai and we wish Valentia Technologies and the Royal College of Surgeons every success in the UAE. We will work with our Enterprise Ireland colleagues to actively promote opportunities for cooperation and for trade development.

I would like to thank the Dubai Ambulance Services and the Dubai Police for their welcome here today and to assure them of the support of the Irish Government in this and future collaborations.

ENDS