James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 317: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the actions she is taking to safeguard the interest of Irish agriculture at the World Trade Organisation negotiations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16364/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I reject completely any suggestion that I have failed in relation to the WTO negotiations.

I and my Government colleagues take every opportunity to express our concerns in the strongest terms in the various EU and WTO meetings dealing with these negotiations. At official level, my Department and other Departments involved have also been working assiduously in the various technical meetings to ensure Ireland's interests are best protected.

I have consistently and continuously outlined the Irish position in the clearest possible terms at official and political level, including numerous bilateral meetings with the Commission and other EU Member States. I have developed and maintained valuable contacts with like-minded Member States on this issue. Recently I have had very positive meetings with my French and German opposite numbers and later today I will be meeting the EU Trade Commissioner.

I will continue to play a leading role in the Group of 14+ like-minded Member States who have come together to express concerns in relation to the direction of the WTO agriculture negotiations and I will continue to work closely with like-minded Ministers in other Member States to seek support for my position.