Vol. 501 No. 4
31 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will outline the representations he has received from Monsanto and members of the United Administration regarding the importation of genetically engineered crops into the EU and the cultivation of genetically engineered plants in the EU. [1872/99]
55 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will report on media reports of lobbying by, or on behalf of, the genetically modified foods company Monsanto in March 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1917/99]
102 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will make a full statement on the meeting in March 1998 with the Secretary of State, Sandy Berger. [4764/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 31, 55 and 102 together.
I have not at any stage met the US National Security Adviser, Mr. Sandy Berger, nor have I received any representations, since becoming Minister from Monsanto. I am aware that during the Taoiseach's visit to the United States in March 1998, the issue of Ireland's attitude to the placing of genetically modified products on the EU market was raised in the margins of unrelated meetings by members of the US administration, including Mr. Berger. In addition, I had a meeting in Dublin with US Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Mr. Richard Rominger on 26 March 1998 during which the issue was also raised. These contacts, in addition to occasional contact by the US Embassy, represent a normal part of intergovernmental activity.
