Ms Caoimhe de Barra:

The problem is that we are not aware of what the Irish Government's position is. This requires a step change. There is increased urgency because there is now momentum under the Czech Presidency to achieve quite a lot by the end of the term. This now needs to be elevated to political level. The officials at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment need to be given that political support around what Ireland's position is. Ireland needs to stand firm in terms of its history and record of protecting, promoting and defending human rights.

Returning to what Deputy Stanton said, this committee could be extremely important by engaging with the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, and enabling that process to be injected with some fresh energy, given the importance of the issues at stake. As Deputy Paul Murphy said, if this is watered down to the degree we have also heard on the grapevine, it will essentially become meaningless. As Ms Tunney said earlier, the eyes of the world are on this process because the European Union is seen as taking the lead. Countries within the European Union have already set out their policy positions and introduced legislation. This legislation could potentially impact not only European companies but also products and services coming into Europe. The ramifications are broad in terms of the globe and the way the trading system works. We need the Irish Government in political terms to step up to its responsibilities.