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

I have sometimes become a bit confused when following this debate for the past 18 months. One of the key points appears to be that the standards set in Europe are also expected of the products which come from the United States. Coming from a farming background, I acknowledge that there was always a fear that we would get hormone-treated beef. From the evidence I have heard during this debate, it appears that the standards we have set here and those set across Europe are, unfortunately, different. Ms Allen might know that when one goes into country markets in France and in Ireland there are two different standards. We in Ireland have adopted standards at the higher end.

I have heard Ms Darina Allen speak before about the regulations and that sometimes we are over-regulated. The small farmer who might butcher a few sheep has been regulated out whereas in France and in other places he would not have been as regulated. We have to look at ourselves and within our own country as to where we set standards. Sometimes we may set impossible standards for ourselves even though we are now in Origin Green. We do like to trade among ourselves also. I am confused. Are the standards we have in Europe the standards by which trade will be done with the United States under the TTIP? Can Ms Allen clarify to the committee if she has difficulty in getting her own produce into the United States market currently? I was probably too young to remember the discussions around Ireland's entry into the EU, Senator Quinn might know better-----