Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

An example of the confidence being reflected here is that Glanbia's major recent announcement will result in 1,500 jobs on family farms right through the crescent from north Cork to County Louth when quotas go. This is a measure of the company's statement of intent to invest. That is already under way.

If the mandate is given during the Irish Presidency on the EU-US agreement, there will be many areas in respect of which there will be complex technical discussions and disagreement. The menu is very broad. The setting down of trade conditions that could apply globally for the next 30 to 50 years is an important consideration and would be in the interest of both the United States and European Union.

It is a little bit early to talk about the detail. Of course, we support and always have supported the preservation of family farms and the fabric of rural life. What is involved, however, is securing a mandate to open the negotiations. If we could conclude the approval for that mandate by the end of this Presidency, it would be a job well done. This would allow for the negotiations to be opened during the next Presidency.

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