Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

In the interests of jobs, to which Senator MacSharry referred, and poverty alleviation, as Senator Zappone has just mentioned, some important events took place this week. On Friday last the European Council declared itself in favour of free trade between the European Union and the United States and it was endorsed in a state-of-the-union address by President Obama. The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, estimated that such a free-trade area would be worth ¤150 billion a year and ¤100 million of it would accrue to this country. It might be more because this country has stronger connections with the United States than most countries, both in terms of the investment and our share of exports. This is an opportunity for us because on St. Patrick?s Day, the Taoiseach, as President of Europe, will be in Washington and he will meet with President Obama. It is a chance to move the project forward. We should not let it be slowed down by the bureaucrats, as Senator Crown?s proposal on smoking has been killed by them. I suggested yesterday that the Minister of State with responsibility for research might walk from Kildare Street to Dawson Street to meet the Royal Irish Academy. The bureaucrats will kill this country if we let them get hold of this project. Let us set a target that on St. Patrick?s Day the President of Europe and the President of the United States will announce that a third of the tariff barriers will be gone by the end of the year and half of them in 18 months. Then we could meet President Obama?s target to press on with the project.

Parliament must get radical. We are being slowed down by the permanent government all the time. This is a chance for President Obama and the Taoiseach, Deputy Kenny, as President of Europe, to have free trade between the United States and Europe. Let us go for it and rule out the delaying tactics and obstacles which will be put in the way of a worthwhile project to generate growth in the economy. If it would help the Taoiseach to have a debate in this House perhaps the Leader could arrange it. In any case I call on him to communicate the impatience of elected parliamentarians that we do something radical to address the problem of endemic unemployment throughout Europe and take up the offer made by President Obama in his state-of-the-union address. Let us have a third of the tariff and non-tariff barriers gone this year and half of them gone within 18 months. President Obama said that within his term there will be free trade between the EU and the United States. We must avail of Ireland?s unique role to push that because of our splendid relationship with so many successive US Presidents.