Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I thank all Members who have participated in this discussion on the World Trade Organisation. Although it appears that while the Hong Kong conference will not result in the final agreement being reached, it will play a vital role in making significant progress to that complete final agreement and for that reason, the outcome is crucial.

The Government's priority is to see that the process of trade liberalisation continues in a fair and balanced manner and that the WTO continues to provide a stable and constant framework for the regulation of world trade. As a small open economy Ireland has much to gain from a successful outcome to this round of multilateral negotiations.

On agriculture I wish to make it clear that the EU's latest offer is as far as we can go. We have reformed domestic supports, committed to elimination of export subsidies and proposed substantial reductions in import tariffs. We have no more room for manoeuvre. It is simply not acceptable that the CAP would require further reform. We have prepared responsibly for these negotiations and have participated constructively at every opportunity. It is unacceptable that further concessions are demanded of the EU, especially on agriculture. I believe all Members are in agreement.

On domestic support, I wish to ensure that the system of decoupled direct payments continues to qualify as non-trade distorting payments under the so called green box and so remain exempt from reductions under the new round. Deputy Connaughton is correct in his views and concerns on this matter. On export subsidies I want to achieve full parallel treatment of all forms of export subsidy and to ensure that the agreed phasing out is carried out over the longest possible period and in a manner least damaging to our interests. On market access, I want to retain the maximum possible level of protection through a combination of tariff cuts and other mechanisms including the designation of products of particular interest as sensitive products in order to protect our major EU markets from increased competition from imports from third countries. I have made my position clear to the Commission and I will not accept any further concessions on agriculture. Ireland is seeking an ambitious outcome from a development perspective. We will be pursuing the following key objectives: special and differential treatment for developing countries in terms of lesser reduction commitments and longer implementation periods; full duty free and quota free access to developed country markets for all products from least developed countries — this is already provided by the EU through the Everything But Arms initiative; and a comprehensive aid for trade package including a broad financial envelope, which compensates for possible loss of preferences by least developed countries.

An appropriate formula that will drive down tariffs on industrial goods is required. The use of this formula will help compress tariff ranges and get rid of high and escalating tariffs. Ireland has strong strategic commercial interests and ambitions in securing tariff reductions across a broad range of sectors, including in the areas of pharmaceuticals, chemicals, ICT and related electronic machinery sectors.

In addition to tariff reduction, Ireland supports proposals to seek reductions in, or elimination of, non-tariff barriers which have the potential to limit trade. These include, for example, unfair licensing regimes, costly labelling requirements or complex certification techniques.

The EU has a relatively open and liberal services market and would wish to see reciprocal markets opening from our main trading partners, including developed countries and the more advanced developing countries such as Brazil, India and China. Ireland and the EU are seeking better market access and a more transparent and predictable environment for European service suppliers in third country markets. Ireland supports an ambitious approach in requesting service sector liberalisation across the full range of internationally traded services sectors, including construction and related engineering, financial services and professional business and distribution services, to name but a few. To alleviate the concerns of Deputy Higgins, the EU, in the context of service negotiations, has not sought market opening in public services and services such as education, health and water provision.

Improved WTO services disciplines might also benefit Irish consumers by increasing the level of competition in the provision of professional and other types of services in the domestic Irish market, without compromising other valid public policy objectives such as consumer protection, prudential regulation and universal provision.

It is regrettable that at present other negotiating partners are focusing on pursuing further concessions from the EU without any reciprocal movement by them. The EU cannot be blamed for the current difficulties in the negotiations. Other developed countries and the more economically advanced developing countries must now step up and deliver if an ambitious Doha round, which will benefit the poorest countries in the world, is to be achieved. As we approach the Hong Kong ministerial meeting, the onus is firmly on other developed countries to show the same level of ambition as the European Union in all elements of the negotiations, including agriculture.

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