Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As they say in the jargon, there are offensive and defensive interests. The defensive interest for us would tend to be agriculture, beef in particular, as was the case in the agreement with Canada in terms of lifting barriers or quotas and allowing in an increased quantity of product. It cuts both ways. In the Canadian agreement it was agreed to allow in 50,000 tonnes of beef carcases, 30% less in meat terms, but Europe was getting access to the Canadian dairy sector. There are swings and roundabouts. In the Canadian case, I understand they do not have hormone-free beef so they will not be able to supply the quota in the short term. It will be several years before they will be able to supply the quota. In these agreements there are always opportunities and defensive positions. The key is that there is mutual gain from dropping the barriers. It is the first lesson one learns in economics that if one takes down the barriers and one trades, everyone gains.

The US has already agreed to lift its protection against Irish meat, which was being banned on health grounds dating back to the incidence of BSE. That is a new opportunity even before any agreement is in place.