Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

Last week I spoke about the latest round of trade negotiations at the World Trade Organisation, especially regarding agriculture. I stated that Ireland currently has a veto and that it will continue to have one after the Lisbon treaty referendum. The European Commission has since confirmed that position, even though the Government has been slow to state its position and whether it would use the veto. Notwithstanding the fact that the Commission has confirmed that position, we received a press release from Libertas which states that the Government and the Commission are lying on the issue.

This must be met head on. This organisation has lied about the position on abortion, despite the express wording in the treaty that it can have no effect on the abortion law in Ireland. It has lied about the 12.5% corporation tax, despite the express wording in the treaty. It is now lying about the position of agriculture and the WTO agreement.

I ask the Leader to deal with this issue tomorrow during our debate on these negotiations with the Minister. What position will the Government take on exercising the veto that exists? The President of the European Parliament confirmed in this House the position on abortion, on neutrality and on the 12.5% corporation tax rate. Libertas persists in leaving a doubt on these issues, despite the express wording of the treaty. We need a clear and unequivocal statement from the Minister tomorrow, and that will assist the farming organisations.