US–EU free trade talks
Senator Barrett asks the Leader to convey support for the US–EU free-trade negotiations and urges prompt legislation to secure economic benefits for Ireland.
In the next two days, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, will preside over the meeting on a free trade area between the United States of America and Europe. This was mentioned on this day last month by the Taoiseach and President Obama. I ask the Leader to convey the best wishes of the House to those at those discussions and I look forward to legislation being enacted quickly to give early effect to what will be an important boost to the Irish economy, being so strategically placed between the US and mainland Europe.