Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It also allows the opportunity to set down standards for world trade for the next 50 years.

These are two of the most developed regions on the planet and there is no reason whatsoever these two economic blocs should not be able to put together trade agreements that would be mutually beneficial to both. Clearly, there are complications; some areas are very complex. As I said, the next chapter begins in July. The European Union has been very open about all of this and, as I said, the information is available on the websites and reading rooms have been provided. Whatever final proposal emerges will have to have the approval of the European Council, the European Parliament and each individual member state because taken into account are member state competence and European Union governance arrangements.

The Deputy mentioned a number of areas that might be impacted on, including agriculture, small business and so on. Public services in this country would not be undermined by any successful TTIP arrangement. The European Union would, as it should, retain the right to make new policies in the public interest, while member state governments would remain free to manage their public services as they saw fit. Commissioner Malmström also provided unambiguous reassurance in the Trade for All strategy she produced last October that no EU trade negotiations would be allowed to lower prevailing levels of environmental, consumer or social protection. That includes many of areas to which the Deputy referred.

In the case of agriculture, we have both offensive and defensive positions. Quite a number of Irish exporters are exporting to the United States. We received approval last year for the entry of Irish beef into the United States and, although it will take time to build, many outlets across the United States are now carrying Irish beef. As I said, the Copenhagen economic study indicated that the TTIP would likely see a 2% to 3% increase in Irish agricultural exports. It also identified clear sensitivities about the beef sector.

More generally, Ireland's small and medium enterprises, to which the Deputy referred, are well placed to take up opportunities to trade more easily with the United States. With each year that passes, more and more small and medium Irish companies are exporting to the United States and employing American citizens across all states, to some extent. Relevant Ministers will remain fully engaged in this process in the time ahead. The negotiations are ongoing and I hope they can be concluded successfully.

One issue within agriculture that has always been of interest is that of hormone-treated meat. The European Commission has consistently maintained its position that a EU-US trade agreement will not alter the current ban on the importation of hormone-treated meat into the European Union. This position is supported by all member states, including Ireland. We have been very clear on this and they understand it.

For example, the EU adopts a very precautionary but positive principle that requires all genetically modified products to undergo a formal approval process contingent on a favourable opinion from the European Food Safety Authority. These are opportunities which lie ahead.

In respect of Deputy Boyd Barrett's question on the Republican Party candidate for the US presidential election, Donald Trump-----

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