Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)

Notwithstanding his reluctance previously at Question Time here, and indeed, the reluctance of his predecessor, to commit to using the veto in respect of the proposals on the table now, does it remain the Government's position, as articulated, albeit at a late stage — with hindsight, far too late — in the context of the Lisbon treaty, and will the Minister confirm in the House that it is the Government's intention to veto unacceptable proposals? Second, has there been any change or variation in the proposals on the table at the WTO as they relate to agriculture, and particularly as they relate to tariff cuts in the areas that are of particular interest in Ireland, namely, beef, dairy products and other critical sectors of Irish agriculture?

Mr. Sarkozy, apart from being the French President and the incoming EU Presidency, is a strong advocate of the Common Agricultural Policy. He has made various trenchant criticisms recently, not just of Commissioner Mandelson but also of the WTO proposals that are now on the table. In that context, has the Minister proposals, along with the Taoiseach, to meet Sarkozy to discuss these issues, particularly as President Sarkozy appears to be under the impression that the Government may rerun the Lisbon treaty referendum?

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