John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)

The fact of the matter is this, that the deal currently on the table back to the last texts which were issued — this is my position and this is what I have explained to Trade Ministers right across the European Union and to a number of French Ministers — is not a deal for the 21st century. It is not a deal that allows services to be properly and appropriately traded from this country. We rely heavily on this area, as I know through Enterprise Ireland.

It is not good for agriculture and neither is it good for trade facilitation. It does not take bureaucracy out of the system, it does not allow us to trade as freely as we would like to trade and it does not open new markets for us. The markets that it does open for us bring about a significant cost to Ireland in the context of what is coming down the tracks in terms of agriculture.

I have praised on the record of this House organisations such as IBEC and the IFA that are representing their views within Europe because it is their views that are constructive and coming from the heart of business and agriculture. I insisted in my meeting with Mr. Mandelson that those views be listened to and that the changes necessary, particularly in agriculture, be brought about.

The position of the Government is that we do not accept what he has on the table, and I impressed that position on Mr. Mandelson. I did exactly the same at the Trade Ministers meeting in Brussels on 9 and 10 March last. In spite of visiting Trade Ministers and attending those dinners and meetings, I have taken the opportunity to defend Irish farming, to defend the beef and dairy sectors, and to ensure that changes are made.

Mr. Mandelson would be a foolish man to continue in the effort to bring a deal in May or late May, and that is what we must defend ourselves against. The best way to do that is having a united voice from this Parliament to ensure that Mr. Mandelson and others listen to us.

If I had but one point to reiterate, it would be that the offer made by Mr. David O'Sullivan to come here and explain to the IFA or to the business sector, relative to the figures currently before us, should be acted upon. That has not been acted upon to date and I, again, ask that that meeting be arranged so that people can come together around the figures, which are being analysed on an ongoing basis by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and, indeed, by my Department in the case of the business sector, which we ought not forget.

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