Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There is no doubt there are significant forces across the European Union that would be quite satisfied to trade beef for concessions in other sectors of the economy. Why would they not? They are not being exposed or taking a financial hit. The reality is the country taking the biggest financial hit will be Ireland because we are such a significant exporter of beef. It behoves us to take a hard line and push against that so we can have an impact and get results. Unfortunately, I have seen that whereas there is lip service coming from our Government on the concerns, the reality is that at the European level, this is driving on ahead. The offer has gone to 70,000 tonnes and we have every reason to believe it went to 99,000 tonnes at the last negotiation round.

I see from replies to parliamentary questions that I put to the Minister that 70,000 tonnes had been offered in the last round but "our determination is not to have this exceeded". The Government is sort of folding the tent on the 70,000 tonnes offer. Likewise, the Taoiseach has not at any stage clearly said we will object to the 70,000 tonnes offer and we will not have it. The reality is the Government is having it and Europe is plugging on ahead. Unless we see a hard line taken by the Minister and the Taoiseach we will not just be faced with the 70,000 tonnes already agreed but a lot more. Ireland and Irish beef will carry the can for the deal.

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