Government position on GATT proposals
Bruton asked about the Community’s agricultural approach, services liberalisation, the US proposal to end agricultural aid, and a possible debate. Brennan supported the Community’s direction, especially on agriculture, and cautioned against moving too quickly.
Does the Minister fully support the Community's position in regard to agriculture in this round? Will he indicate the Government's position on liberalisation in regard to services contained in this round? Will he further indicate his view of the proposal by the US in the context of this round that all aid of any kind to agriculture should be abolished by the end of the century? Finally, does he agree that it would be desirable, given the central importance of the issues in this round, for a special debate to take place, if necessary with strict time limits on speakers and so forth, for perhaps two hours some time before the summer recess — on the GATT round specifically?
Comment on this
They are four key questions. We do, of course, support the European Community direction in its approach in the GATT talks. It is expected to take some time. There is talk of three or four years before these things come to a head. The Deputy can take it that we fully support the European Community direction on this, particularly in regard to agriculture.
Some members regard agriculture as a fast track priority and others do not, and we are very much in the league which says that one does not rush this approach in the agricultural area for reasons which I know are obvious to the Deputy. We do support the EC, particularly in the agricultural area.
At the opposite end of the scale to agriculture, I think it is unlikely that discussions on services will move for a long time on liberalisation. Talks seem to be concentrated at the moment on means of achieving liberalisation of services. It is very unlikely that that will move very fast. I will certainly keep the Deputy informed about it.
In regard to the USA, again Ireland has a particular interest in the agricultural area. We will ensure that the European Community are very well aware of Ireland's sensitivities in the agricultural area and we would be quite worried about the United States proposal in regard to agriculture and will ensure that action is taken regarding a special debate, that is something I would not be able to agree to without consulting the Whips.