Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I second the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator MacSharry. Last night, in his first State of the Union address of his second term, President Obama stated the following to a joint session of Congress: "We will launch talks on a comprehensive Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with the European Union ? because trade that is free and fair across the Atlantic supports millions of good-paying American jobs". I call on the Taoiseach and Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to use the Irish Presidency to quickly grasp this opportunity. A transatlantic free trade area offers enormous potential for companies in the United States and Europe, including Ireland. As a former Minister with responsibility for trade, I regard this as the best opportunity to come our way for some time. Ireland is in a very good position as Enterprise Ireland - it was known as An Bord Tráchtála when I was a Minister - is an excellent organisation and has a network in place in the United States. I ask that the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade come to the House to tease out the potential of such an agreement. President Obama's statement that the United States is initiating talks on securing a translatlantic deal is a significant offer. A debate in the Seanad would offer the Tánaiste a great opportunity to discuss one of the most important points of President Obama's comprehensive and tremendous speech to the American people. Ireland could benefit considerably from a transatlantic trade deal and I ask the Taoiseach and Tánaiste to grasp the opportunity it presents.