Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

As the Taoiseach will be aware, the reopening of trade negotiations with Mercosur has given rise to concerns with regard to the impact that imports of Brazilian beef could have on Ireland and other EU countries. What concerns did he raise about the possibility of the opening of the EU market to Brazilian beef while the food quality and safety standards that apply in Brazil are below those which normally obtain in the Union?

What response has been given by the European Union to the statement by the Prime Minister of Haiti on the recovery operation in that country? I accept that an immediate response was made at the time of the disaster but will the Taoiseach indicate the follow-up actions that have been taken and the contribution of Ireland thereto?

Did the Taoiseach or any of the other Irish representatives who were present in Madrid raise with the Bolivian authorities the case of the man from Tipperary, Mr. Michael Dwyer, who was shot dead in controversial circumstances in Santa Cruz in April 2009? Since that date, members of the Dwyer family have been trying to establish the circumstances of his death. At the time of Mr. Dwyer's death, the Bolivian President said he had not objection to an independent international inquiry. However, that offer appears to have been withdrawn. Was the matter raised with Bolivian representatives on the margins of the meeting that took place?

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