Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

We will be dealing with everything we can and my colleague, Deputy McGuinness, the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and a number of my representatives are meeting Commissioner Mandelson this afternoon to outline our concerns. Deputy Andrew Doyle can rest assured that, in working with those in the industry, including farming organisations and political organisations, I will exert as much pressure as possible.

The Deputy is correct that I have grave concerns about the Commissioner for Trade's mandate. It is the Commissioner who negotiates on our behalf but, the Council must be listened to. It expressed grave concerns this week. I refer not only to the Agriculture Council but also to the GAERC.

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