Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)

Has the Minister invoked the help of the Taoiseach to ensure, given the fact that fully fledged negotiations are now under way, any deal is based on the principle of equivalence? In other words, if they want access to our markets, they must meet exactly the same standards under which we operate. Would the Minister accept that the fact that the new Agricultural Commissioner Ciolos was bowled over by the President of the Commission's commitment to this deal does not augur well for his ability to secure an adequate budget for the CAP?

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