John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

I join other Senators in asking the Leader to invite the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Brendan Smith, to come to the House to discuss the ongoing World Trade Organisation talks. Such a debate would be timely in the context of the link that is currently being made by certain groups between the WTO and the Lisbon treaty. While we have to agree the Lisbon treaty, we do not have to sign a WTO agreement. In light of the current global food crisis, we may be better off if a world trade agreement is not reached. We could reach bilateral agreements to ensure there is equity and fairness in global trade. It would be detrimental — it would bring the EU into disrepute, as I have previously said — to ask for a reduction in production at a time when there are food shortages throughout the world. I suggest that a debate on this matter be arranged at an early stage. I do not believe a WTO agreement is needed. However, the Lisbon treaty is an imperative if the EU is to work properly.