SEANAD REPORT:A POLL showing that 78 per cent of farmers were concerned about the World Trade Organisation (WTO) talks was largely due to the Government playing games, Eugene Regan (FG) said.
A veto did not apply in the case of international agreements concerning agriculture solely, but the WTO talks pertained to a mixed agreement on goods and services over which the Government had a veto. Was this the Government's understanding of the matter and was it prepared to exercise the veto? Until the Government made a clear statement on this issue, farmers would remain concerned and would make a link, however false, with the Lisbon Treaty.
Mr Regan emphasised the need for clarity to be provided. He said it was important to recognise that the Government would continue to have a veto on mixed agreements after the treaty's passage.
"The farm organisations and others, including political parties, have made a link between the WTO talks and the Lisbon Treaty. The reality is that there is no legal link, although there is a political one. Farm organisations must be aware that if they make the political link and persist in doing so, there will be consequences.
"It is incumbent on the Government to clarify the position."
Briain Ó Domhnaill (FF) said it had been reported that groups campaigning for a No vote, including Libertas, would spend €3.5 million in trying to get their message across. Many people would like to know where Libertas came from, how it was funded and to whom it was accountable.
Seanad leader Donie Cassidy said that Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith would be in the House next Wednesday for the debate on the WTO negotiations and he was sure that he would provide clarification for Mr Regan about the use of the veto.
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While public sector reform was the current buzz word, there was a need to define what was being talked about, Alan Kelly (Lab) said. He found it extraordinary that the Taoiseach would blame everybody bar his own Government for the fact that there were thousands of people waiting for speech and language therapy.
"After 11 years in Government, it's extraordinary that he can blame absolutely everybody except his own Government and Minister for Health. Ridiculous!"
Jim Walsh (FF) said while there were excellent people in the public service, there were under-performers who would not survive in the private sector. This needed to be addressed.