China has the right idea in that they have arranged to build infrastructure in several African countries in return the right to extract raw materials. The Irish covernment could arrange via a trade delegation for one Irish building company to build roads in an African country and in payment for this work, another Irish company could help themselves to whatever minerals are going a-begging. For this this work the IDA would probably have to act as a go-between. The benefits to the African country are obvious as anyone who knows anything of post colonial African history understand. As for Ireland, we get people off the dole to work in Africa, and Irish companies would benefit overseas.

This post was submitted by Paul O`Sullivan.