Country faces losing out in trade deal

IRELAND risks losing out in agriculture, trade and services under current negotiations on a new world trade deal, Trade Minister John McGuinness has warned.

He accused EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson of trying to substitute speed for substance and railroad EU countries into accepting a deal without knowing the full details.

Mr Mandelson however has said that a breakdown of the Doha round is “perilously close” and he wants to organise a ministerial meeting in April where they would sign off on agriculture and on industrial goods.