asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure, when future trade agreements dealing with the industrial sector are being negotiated between the EEC and other countries, that they will not be concluded to the disadvantage of agricultural producers in the EEC.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Trade Agreements.
43.
The Government invariably endeavour to ensure that in all trade negotiations between the Community and third countries, which involve a regime for agricultural products, the interests of Community producers of such products, and of Irish producers in particular, are taken into account in a balanced way.
The Parliamentary Secretary is aware that the agricultural industry has been adversely affected by such agreements in the past.
I was somewhat in the dark as to what exactly the Deputy was getting at. If the Deputy will give individual examples I will try to give him a better answer. Pending his giving me notice and more details, I am not aware of agreements dealing with the industrial sector which have worked to the disadvantage of the agricultural sector here in a way that could have been avoided.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that before the recess, the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries explained that a new agreement whereby a certain amount of beef is imported into the EEC was due to the fact that trade agreements had been negotiated by the EEC and that this was a quid pro quo?
I am not aware of that. If the Deputy puts down a separate question on it, I will try to deal with it.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.