Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)

I do not believe it will happen.

The EU Agriculture Commissioner should be a driving force in these talks. During the last round of WTO talks, the former Agriculture Commissioner, Franz Fischler, took a prominent role but current Commissioner Fischer Boel is not leading this debate. The Agriculture Commissioner must be given a more significant role in these negotiations in order to protect the viability of Irish family farms.

I wish to refer to concerns about the Iranian nuclear programme. The recent comments by the President of Iran relating to Israel were unacceptable, and I have deep concerns for the welfare of the former ambassador to Ireland from Iran, currently in custody in that country. The European Union may be ready to resume talks with Iran on this issue in early December, which were stalled in August when Iran commenced uranium conversion processes. I understand that Russia has proposed a deal which could see Iran entering into a joint venture with it which would allow Iran to use uranium for power generation but would ensure that uranium enrichment, the precursor to the production of weapons-grade material, would take place in Russia. The growth in nuclear sabre-rattling must be of concern to all of us within the European Union and in the wider world. The development of Iranian nuclear capabilities would do nothing for the stability of the Middle East, especially in light of the recent comments from the Iranian President.

I point out to the Minister, as I have at committee meetings, that allowing the UK, Britain and France to be the voice of Europe in negotiations with Iran needs to be reviewed because of the track record of one or two of those countries. The double standards involved in the approach to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons treaty also needs to be addressed. I ask the Minister to give his view on the capability of the UK, France and Germany to reach an accommodation with Iran on what is currently one of the dominant issues on the international stage.

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