Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Bacik referred to the Equal Status (Amendment) Bill, which had a very informed debate yesterday evening. She also called for a debate on the economic, social and cultural aspects of the Constitution, which I understand will be dealt with by the Constitutional Convention. Senator Bacik wished the Taoiseach well in his deliberations and meetings with President Obama.

The European Commission yesterday agreed a draft mandate to be used by the EU in its upcoming negotiations with the US on a new free trade agreement, the transatlantic trade and investment partnership agreement. It is up to the EU's economic council of trade Ministers, currently chaired by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, to reach an agreed position on the new free trade investment partnership. The Minister, Deputy Bruton, is holding a meeting for the EU trade Ministers in Dublin in April to achieve this agreement. The Minister returned from a trip to the US yesterday, where he held a series of high-level meetings with key figures in President Obama's Administration, including Mr. Mike Froman, deputy national security adviser for international economic affairs, and the US trade representative, Mr. Ron Kirk.

A major new study published yesterday indicated that EU exports to the US would increase by 28% or ¤187 billion each year as a result of increased trade from the new EU-US free trade agreement. Agreement between the two economic blocs would also increase global trade, producing an extra 6% growth in exports for the EU, bringing total benefits to ¤200 billion. Those points were pushed by Senator Barrett as he noted the importance of this free trade agreement between the EU and the United States. We all wish the Taoiseach and the Minister, Deputy Bruton, well in the deliberations.

We knew the Pope had connections to Argentina and we are glad to hear from Senator Coghlan of his Kerry connections.