Libertas.org

Fine Gael agriculture spokesperson Michael Creed is engaging in "doublespeak of the most hilarious kind" on the issue of Ireland's WTO veto, Libertas Executive Director Naoise Nunn said this evening.

Deputy Creed today accused Libertas of lying on the issue, and later on accused Minister Brendan Smith of betraying farmers by not promising to use Ireland's "veto" on the WTO negotiations.

Responding to the comments, Mr. Nunn said:

"This morning we challenged Fine Gael and others to explain how exactly a veto would be applied to any WTO negotiation. He responded in general terms, citing "services". "Services" move to QMV under Lisbon, unless they interfere directly with the government's ability to provide services in Health, Education, or the audiovisual area within the state's own borders. This is not the case in Doha, so Deputy Creed might like to try again.

As for Minister Smith, he's refusing to say he'd use a veto because he doesn't have one.

Do we really believe that if there was a veto, Minister Roche wouldn't be out on the airwaves, screaming blue murder as only he can? He's being kept in his box, because there is no veto after Lisbon. Deputy Creed should cut the government some slack on this issue, and take them to task on their spectacular failure to negotiate in Ireland's interest over Lisbon.

Speaking of the WTO veto, Deputy Creed had better hope the RTE editing team is kind to him when they play the "late debate" that was recorded last night. His performance should certainly give Irish farmers cause for deep reflection".