French warning over Ireland’s use of ‘close relationship’ with US

Ireland will be closely watched by its European counterparts for signs that its close relationship with the US will lead to a “Google presidency” of the EU.

It is expected that negotiations on the long-awaited EU-US free trade agreement will begin during the six-month Irish presidency, which begins next week.

Fine Gael MEP Seán Kelly issued a statement yesterday urging the EU to “press ahead with plans to deepen trade” and said: “Ireland would greatly benefit from improved trade links with the US given our historic, solid relationship.”