Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

I said the Commission. Deputy Creed's question referred to my meeting last Friday week with the French Minister. That was the first meeting I had outside the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food since I was appointed. I spent half a day with Minister Barnier, and we both met the Taoiseach subsequently to discuss this issue. There was a meeting yesterday with Minister Barnier and other Ministers who are like-minded in terms of our concerns about where the negotiations are heading. At the weekend I will have the opportunity to have further discussions with other Ministers who share our serious concerns about these negotiations.

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