Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 233: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which he expects to be in a position to obtain maximum support from his EU colleagues in any World Trade Organisation negotiations thereby ensuring the future maximum employment prospects for the agricultural and fishing sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40046/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The WTO Doha Development Round talks are stalled at present and the prospects for conclusion of an agreement are uncertain at this point in time. Nevertheless, I will continue to maintain pressure to secure an acceptable outcome from these negotiations that does not undermine the development of European and Irish agriculture.

There is good support for this position among my colleagues in other Member States. Over recent years an alliance of some 14 Member States, including Ireland, has pressed on a continuous basis for a strong CAP and to defend EU agricultural interests in the WTO. Indeed this alliance has been augmented from time to time by support from additional Member States.

As negotiations on the WTO Doha Development Round develop, I intend to maintain and develop the alliances with like-minded Member States to secure the best possible outcome for Ireland from these negotiations.