There was strong political opposition here to the lifting of the GM ban by the EU and this was led by the Labour Party spokesman on Agriculture and Food Safety, Ms Mary Upton TD.
"This is simply a case of the EU dancing to the agenda of multinationals. There has not been sufficient consultation nor sufficient scientific research into this subject. This decision from the EU is being done purely for commercial reasons," she said. "This decision is being taken under the auspices of feeding the hungry but this decision has more to do with lining the pockets of multinationals. There has been no proper debate and no consultation in Ireland on this controversial subject," she added.
"Ireland has a particular interest in this issue. Part of our major marketing strategy of Irish produce abroad is that is clean and natural. Any lessening of this is very likely to damage jobs," she said.
The Green MEP, Ms Patricia McKenna accused Commissioner David Byrne of being more concerned with protecting the interests of multinational companies than consumers. Saying the Commissioner was central to the decision, Ms McKenna said he had failed badly to protect either consumers or the environment and it was a disgrace that consumer rights were overridden by an unelected body like the Commission.
Deputy Martin Ferris of Sinn Féin said the Government had been among a minority of states voting in favour of lifting the ban despite the fact there had been no debate or vote of any kind in the country.
"The Irish Government's role in ending the embargo which is supported by the overwhelming majority of EU citizens is nothing short of disgraceful," he said. However, the IFA said GM crops were not being grown in Ireland. "Our position is that the debate should be informed by science," said the IFA general secretary, Mr Michael Berkery, yesterday.
"We also believe that people must be informed and that GM foods should be labelled as such," he added. "At the end of the day this issue will be decided by the consumers who will either want GM product or not," he said.
A spokeswoman for the Tesco group, the major retailer in the State, said it was company policy that no GM material be included in "own brand" Tesco foods. Where producers had included GM material in other products, she said they must be clearly labelled.