Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I will address those questions but there are technical aspects to them with respect to poultry, sugar and so on. In terms of how we trade with developing countries, I am satisfied that this country's foreign policy with respect to Irish Aid policy is clearly structured in a way that ensures we trade on the basis of such trade being a sustainable relationship. That feeds into our position in terms of an EU position on these negotiations.

Specific reference was made to sugar and I want to make a broad point in response to that. I hail from the town of Mallow and if people check the historical debates of this House, they will note my surname is possibly synonymous with some of those historical debates. A political decision taken at Council of Ministers level on the future of that industry. I take the point made by Deputy Durkan regarding the ACP Cotonou Agreement with respect to the broader sugar industry, globally speaking. The global market for sugar has transpired in a way in which it was not sold to us at the time. I would make that objective point.

I want to defer to Ms Mary Barrett. Dare I say it, the people accompanying me are global experts on these agreements and we are lucky to have the benefit of their expertise here. If there is further political response needed, Ms Barrett can defer to me.