Michael McNamara (Clare, Labour) | Oireachtas source

There are movements towards uniformity within the EU. I was told proudly by departmental officials that they were looking to Ireland as the standard to be achieved by other states, yet when I asked whether Ireland is in favour of agreeing these uniform standards, I was told we were not at all, because we might have to accept boats that are licensed in Greece, Spain or other major maritime nations picking up cattle. That would make it difficult for those beef processors, who might then be operating in a less restricted market and might have to pay more for the premium product they are buying. Why does Ireland not want to move towards uniform standards in shipping across Europe and, most importantly, why will it not accept boats licensed in other member states to come and collect cattle in Ireland? Is it solely to protect beef processors so that they can continue to drive down the prices that Irish farmers get?