Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming before us and giving us an up-to-date briefing. Could he continue to do this because we like to keep abreast of the ongoing negotiations as we might not always be able to pick up any information?

Will there be a problem with shelf companies that may exist in either the US or Europe that import products from outside the US to take advantage of the trade agreements? How will we monitor standards used outside the EU or US to produce products?

Europe has a strong history of red tape. I can see going to the US being a real advantage to European companies because red tape in the US is not as strong as it is here. How does the Minister see that benefiting trade between us and the US? I saw an example of red tape this morning in a small school. It was a primary school event for entrepreneurs and innovators. A teacher told me that the amount of red tape they had to follow was unreasonable. If it is like this for six, seven and eight-year-olds, what is like for the rest of us? It is something that must dealt with because it is a serious problem.

Do we require a referendum to ratify this? Does it need to be put before the people or can we do it through the legislative process? The Minister spoke about how great it is. What is the one thing he is worried about? There must be something in the back of his mind that gives him a nagging feeling.