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

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Sherlock, for appearing before us today. These agreements are a progressive step in establishing trade relations with emerging, developing countries. Unlike some other countries, Ireland has a good record of having treated trade and development aid as two separate issues. Some countries tend to tie the two together, so that one becomes conditional on the other. We have never pursued that approach.

Obviously, opportunities will arise for Latin American countries from the agreement. The only rider I would put in, as always, is to say that I hope multinational corporations will not get the bulk of the benefit. That has happened in the past, certainly in the African countries. We need to closely observe the progress of the agreements as time goes by. Does the Minister of State wish to make some closing remarks?