Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy is right. I am concerned that we support the diversification that is taking place within the European Union, particularly here in Ireland, when it comes to discussions at WTO level. I have expressed and will continue to express grave concerns about the impact of an unbalanced agreement and have pursued this vigorously. The Deputy is right that an unbalanced agreement would have catastrophic implications for European agriculture and for Ireland. I agree with the Deputy's views that we must have a balanced approach with reciprocity. Non-trade concerns must also be taken into consideration if we are to have an agreement.

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