Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Feb 2003

Vol. 561 No. 4

Written Answers. - International Trade Negotiations.

Dan Boyle

Question:

150 Mr. Boyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her policy priorities in regard to the forthcoming WTO trade negotiations in Cancun in September, 2003; and her views on whether new issues on the subject of investment policy, competition policy, public procurement and trade facilitation policies should be added to the agenda for the WTO summit. [4402/03]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Ahern):

The WTO declaration agreed at the fourth trade ministerial meeting in Doha, in November 2001, provides for a new round of multilateral trade liberalisation negotiations across a broad spectrum of trade related issues. The declaration, one of the key documents from the ministerial meeting, outlines a wide-ranging work programme and is the blueprint for negotiations which are scheduled to conclude by 2005.

Negotiations have already commenced in earnest across a broad range of issues. A substantial WTO negotiating structure is now in place including, at its pinnacle, the trade negotiation committee TNC designed to drive the Doha development agenda. Over coming months, preparations will commence for the next trade ministerial in Mexico in September 2003.

The multilateral trade round is a priority for Ireland, as it is for other member states of the European Union. The conclusion of a successful round of negotiations in the areas of agriculture, services, market access and strengthening the position of developing countries in the multilat eral trading environment, remain key issues of importance for Ireland.

The forthcoming WTO trade ministerial meeting in Cancun will be an important milestone on the road to the successful conclusion of the current trade round. It will be a mid-term ministerial meeting which will take stock of progress and give an overview of what has been accomplished at that stage in areas where negotiations have been launched. On the specific question of bringing trade and investment, trade and competition, public procurement and trade facilitation issues within the negotiations under the current trade round, Ireland supports the European Community approach which is to have these issues included in negotiations.