Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the frank assessment by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of the WTO negotiating situation and also the presentation of the development dimensions by the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Kitt. As practically the most globalised country in the world and also one with a strong agricultural interest, we are interested in a genuinely balanced outcome. By and large, so far, in previous GATT and WTO rounds that has been done in a reasonably satisfactory way.

The development dimension is also important but it should be stressed that the poorest APC countries have benefited very much from access to the CAP and to European markets. The issues are not really with those countries but with what one might call some of the much more advanced third countries.

As regards future beef imports, it is extremely important to have a level playing field so the same standards apply. Ireland is not as small a player as has been made out. We are at the core of an important alliance, including France and Poland. Other countries have also come in, as the Minister explained. There is deep distrust of the negotiations. Concessions have been made up front and when that happens there is always a danger that more will be demanded.

We do not have a very reassuring track record concerning Commissioner Mandelson in this country. I certainly remember the negotiations on police reform when we were assured that the Patten report was being implemented, when in fact much of it was being gutted. The work had to be redone after Mr. Mandelson had left. It is not too often that a Minister has to resign twice over issues of trust.

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