Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Commissioner and congratulate her on the work she has already done and on progress to date. This agreement is to be welcomed. We have discussed the issue on many occasions and are aware of the process taking place. What we are most concerned about is to ensure that following the rationalisation of thinking between the two continents, there will be benefits for all and that the agreement will be to their mutual benefit.

It is important that during the negotiations Europeans working on behalf of Europe negotiate for all Europeans for the betterment of all European states. I would expect the United States will carry out a similar exercise. It is important to try to ensure there is a comprehensive agreement that is balanced in a way that will not disadvantage either side. The purpose of the exercise is to improve trade relations between Europe and the US, to remove the barriers and obstacles and to ensure that red tape is reduced to a minimum. New opportunities will open up to both Europe and the US and we need to emphasise our strongest points regarding where we work best so as to ensure we achieve those in the course of the negotiations. The European Union must recognise the importance of thinking, talking and acting comprehensively on behalf of all its European colleagues without exception. We must not have a situation where some member states find themselves at a disadvantage.