*  *  *  I would like to thank you for the opportunity to participate in the Centennial Lecture Series of the University of Texas at El Paso. It is a great honor to speak in this distinguished academic center, which has contributed considerably to closer relations between Mexico and the United States.
Contribution of financial services to the economy As you know, the financial services industry plays a vital role in the Irish economy, directly employing about 50,000 people with thousands more being employed in related areas such as legal, accountancy and other services.