Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I did not interrupt the Deputy.

I consider there to be a considerable distance to travel before we have an inked deal that bears the imprimaturof Europe. What we have is a proposed deal.

Certainly, we intend to use the time between now and then to influence in whatever way. In the context of this issue, we are not without friends in Europe. For example, we have made common cause with the French, the Poles and the Belgians. As I said, this is not a done deal.

In the cut and thrust of political debate, I appreciate Deputy Cahill thinks the Commissioner, Deputy Hogan, is in play for this, but I would remind the Deputy that this deal was negotiated by the Commissioner, Dr. Malmström, who is a member of Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, ALDE, in Europe which is the group that Fianna Fáil is aligned with.

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