Vol. 465 No. 6
18 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the input, if any, Ireland had into the recent trade meeting involving the EU, the United States, Canada and Japan; and the effects, if any, it will have on Irish trade outside the EU. [10229/96]
21 Mr. Browne (Wexford) asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the outcome of the recent international trade meeting in Kobe, Japan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10239/96]
39 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the implications, if any, for Irish trade of the recent Quad trade meeting in Kobe, Japan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10241/96]
59 Mr. M. Brennan asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade whether Ireland will have an input into the informal working group studying links between trade and investment established by the Quad trade partners. [10242/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 21, 39 and 59 together.
Trade Ministers from the European Union, Canada, Japan and the United States held their 28th Quadrilateral Meeting in Kobe, Japan, on 19-21 April this year. The EU was represented by Commission Vice-President, Sir Leon Britton.
The Quad series of meetings is intended to provide a mechanism to facilitate the exchange of ideas among the major trading partners. The purpose of this meeting was to review developments in international trade and to continue planning and preparation for the ministerial conference of the World Trade Organisation due to be held in Singapore next December. Many of the items currently on the multilateral trade agenda were discussed including the need for full implementation of the WTO agreements; the negotiation of an information technology agreement which is an initiative for trade liberalisation in the information technology industry; progress in the WTO services negotiations and the so-called "new agenda" issues due to be discussed at Singapore, including trade and investment.
The meeting agreed that Quad members would seek the establishment of an informal WTO working group on trade and investment in Geneva with a view to establishing a formal WTO working group on the issue at the Singapore ministerial conference. The European Union's input into such a group, if established, will be agreed by the EU Council at meetings at which all member states, including Ireland, will be represented.
The meeting further underlined the partners' commitment to achieving a successful outcome to the Singapore ministerial conference and to strengthening the multilateral system of trade through increased opening of markets. As a small country dependent on trade, this is an approach from which Ireland will benefit.
I appreciate that the EU would be represented by the Commissioner at these talks.
My concern relates to Ireland's position and our input at such meetings through the relevant Commissioner, Sir Leon Britton. The problems that beset Ireland in trade terms are different from those of some of our European partners. Will the Minister give an assurance that Ireland's position will be sufficiently considered in the EU context in these talks?
I will convey the Deputy's concern to the Minister who will have a pivotal role to play in the talks next December.
