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

The Deputy has clearly articulated the range of concerns and the objective from this side is to achieve a fair trade arrangement. As I said, in all trade negotiations we have offensive and defensive interests and we are not yet in a position where a trade deal is being approved or rejected. We are at the beginning of a process whereby the outline agreement is given legal effect. The issues around traceability, sanitary and phytosanitary standards and hormone-treated beef, for example, will all see engagement by agencies of the European Union so as to be of advantage to us in trying to protect our beef farmers in the final legal document.

We will do an assessment of the impact of the trade agreement, including how it pertains to industrial goods, services, public procurement and, in a broader sense, political co-operation and a range of issues involving most if not all Departments. We are a long way from inking a deal and we have the opportunity to collaborate and ensure we achieve the best outcome for ourselves.

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