Sir, - The news that the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. David Andrews, TD, believes that Ireland should have an embassy in Brazil next year, as reported by Patrick Woodworth, was very well received by all those with an interest in the developing relations between the two countries. The statement, which was made earlier this week in Rio during the first-ever summit meeting of heads of government from member-countries of the European Union/Latin America and the Caribbean, could not have come at a better time.
There is a trade balance in Ireland's favour and Irish investments in Brazil are set to rise later this year. Irish whiskey, for example, is being marketed on a full-time basis. Ireland is Brazil's third largest supplier of liqueurs. The Irish Dairy Board has been active in the market for over 25 years. Irish patent potatoes have been successfully tested there.
In the tourism field, Bord Failte is now pro-active in relation to Brazil. The number of Brazilian tourists visiting Ireland has started to increase. Co-operation between Irish and Brazilian universities in the area of mathematics has been going on for over 22 years.
In the literary field, a record number of traditional and contemporary Irish authors have been translated into Brazilian Portuguese - at an average rate of one a month last year. Irish studies at the University of Sao Paulo are at an all time high. Enya has sold almost 1.5 million CDs in Brazil in recent years, and groups such as U2 and the Cranberries are household names among young people.
These are just some of the findings which the author came across while researching the links between Brazil and Ireland and which have been published in a 100-page survey to coincide with the summit meeting. A second edition of the survey is being researched and any contributions that your readers may have on the relations between the two countries would be welcome via email - ksktopenlink.com.br - Yours, etc.,
Peter O'Neill, Irish Travel Department, KSK Tours, Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil.