Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

After dairying, the beef sector is the main staple of Irish farming. The margins are tight and often practically non-existent, even at the moment. Much of the production comes from part-time farms. If viability was to collapse, it would be devastating for rural Ireland and the agrifood sector. The job losses would be large, but are difficult to quantify. We have seen what has happened to sheep numbers and we have seen the wipe-out of the sugar industry, which I regret was ever privatised.

Extreme concern exists about the WTO negotiations. We must take into account that Ireland is one of the most globalised countries in the world and benefits from freer world trade. We have always had to balance agriculture and other trade interests. It is entirely unclear what are the non-trade benefits to Ireland or even the EU. Chancellor Merkel expressed reservations on that count in Dublin Castle this week. There is deep distrust running right through this debate of EU trade Commissioner Mandelson, who twice had to resign from the British Government and who attempted to sabotage the implementation of the Patten report on police reform, pandering to the right wing press in Britain. No doubt he would be delighted to sabotage the CAP before his term ends next year, but that would be exceptionally short-sighted, not least from Britain's point of view. That is a country of about 60 million that over the centuries has relied on ready access to food supplies from Ireland. If that were to dry up, it would have serious consequences.

These negotiations take place against the background of rising food prices, concern about the effects of biofuels and acute concerns about the effects on the political stability of many countries due to food shortages. I have complete confidence in the Minister and her Department that they will do the maximum possible to protect Irish agricultural interests with full Government support from the top. However, it is not sensible to do all the negotiating in public and we need to bear in mind that these matters will be decided by qualified majority vote. Therefore, no country has a veto and it is necessary to muster allies. The Minister has been very successful in doing this. The interests of different member states are not identical. There may well be no deal and I am following this issue closely in the international press. If there is a deal, we will negotiate the best deal that we can get. It would be an illusion to believe that Ireland is in a position to dictate terms.

Playing the Lisbon treaty card has its dangers. Concerns about the short-term fate of the Lisbon treaty in Ireland would not be enough to deter or prevent a WTO deal. The reality is that a "No" vote would do nothing for Irish farmers or the country as a whole. It would be a protest, but it would marginalise us and cripple our ability to fight future battles. I welcomed the unconditional support of the IFA for the EU treaty at the beginning of the year and I hope it will be revived and that farmers will not be left in a state of uncertainty. We need to remember that this country has received €40 billion from the EU, most of it for agriculture.

I wish the Minister every success in negotiations and a favourable outcome for Ireland, not least one that we will be able to manage and digest without any major disruption, having regard to major changes in world market conditions.

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