Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. It seems that excellent progress has been made. We are very keen that this agreement will generate additional jobs in our country. I have two questions about jobs at European level and at local level. Is there a risk that jobs in large car production companies in Germany and France might be in danger because of an increase in the number of American cars coming into European markets? I have in mind the potential for flooding the market. The American car industry was rescued by President Obama a few years ago to the tune of $50 billion - I am not sure of the exact amount - in terms of public subsidies. Will safeguards be in place to ensure that there will be no flooding of the European market by American car producers as this would impact on German and French jobs with a knock-on effect on the European economy?

My second question is about Irish jobs. One of the criticisms and complaints during the most recent election campaign and which is voiced at constituency clinics is the concern that many Irish companies are losing out to European counterparts because of public procurement rules. What safeguards will be in place to ensure that Irish companies are not put at a disadvantage in the domestic market if American companies come in? What can be done with regard to public procurement rules to ensure that while competition remains in the Irish procurement market, that there is not an excessive input of American companies which will take jobs and contracts away from Irish companies?