Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I thank Senators Norris and Quinn.

There are two points I wish to cover in the brief time available. One is to commend the free trade movement and its work generally, while the other is a consideration of fair trade as a global issue on which we in Ireland should take a strong stand. We all agree that the development of the fair trade movement is a good-news story. It is an issue on which people have been able to think globally and act locally. Many of us feel powerless to have a positive impact on economic matters at a global level in support of the less well-off or the most disadvantaged people in our society. One of the great strengths of the fair trade movement is that it allows us to redress that feeling of powerlessness. The good news is that fair trade sales grew by about 75% in the past year. We must commend the work that is being done, particularly in the education sector. For example, in our primary schools the Alive-O 8 religious education pack has a feature on fair trade, and the CSPE courses focus on the concept of interdependence. At third level, NUI Maynooth became the first university to be accredited as a Fairtrade university in April 2006.

In general terms, when we talk about the issue of fair trade, we all feel we are doing something good. It is great that so many more Irish people are now conscious of the Fairtrade brand, as explained by the Minister. However, we all know that purchasing Fairtrade goods is but a small step unless we seek to influence the broader area of trade agreements on a worldwide basis. We must remember that the purpose of the economy is to serve the common good by meeting the material needs of the individual. As consumers our choices can enhance or diminish economic opportunity for families and communities in developing countries. As we have heard, the Fairtrade initiative is an alternative approach that ensures better prices for farmers and producers. However, we must focus on what the principle of subsidiarity requires of us at the level of global trade. Current international trading practice does not provide much incentive for application of the fair trade principle or the principle of subsidiarity. As pointed out by Trócaire, while Ireland's goal to increase its official level of development assistance to 0.7% of GNP by 2012 is laudable, these aims must be accompanied by an effort to tackle inequitable conditions in the global trade system. In a recent policy document by Trócaire, a convincing argument is made for policy coherence.

There is not enough debate in the Houses about trade negotiations. If we do manage to focus on this issue, it is to be hoped that Ireland can play a stronger part in urging the EU, in the context of the economic partnership agreement currently being negotiated, to make sure negotiations are aimed at making global trade rules more development-friendly. Our ability to ensure that vulnerable farming communities in developing countries can prosper depends on the establishment of a system of international trade which allows developing countries to pursue policies that foster competitiveness among local producers and address the protectionist practices of developed countries. In that context I strongly support the points made by Senator Quinn.

According to Trócaire, it is estimated that if Africa were to increase its share of world exports by just 1%, tens of millions of people would be lifted out of poverty. That is a statistic that should exercise our minds.