Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ireland is actively pursuing the scientific conditions that can apply for entry of beef and other agri-products. We are actively involved in developing a racing industry in China. The Chinese people have had the propensity to the odd flutter and they look to Ireland as being a leader in many ways. I have mentioned Japan, and we have a very strong relationship with the US, Great Britain, Germany and Italy. Earlier I referred to the question of relations with Russia. The European Council is pursuing the issue of EU-US trade. In response to Deputy Dara Murphy we hope to get a mandate for these discussions during our Presidency of the EU. It is not simple. There are problems and various matters to be dealt with on both sides of the Atlantic with serious potential for disruption here. We want to get a mandate so that these things can be discussed and negotiated. The menu is extensive and some of the issues will probably not be dealt with for many years but there is a range of non-tariff areas where these things can apply.

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