166. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagement he has had with his “like-minded” European counterparts on the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16073/25]

Sentiment score: 0.29

The looming threat of Mercosur is causing enormous stress in the agricultural community. What level of engagement has the Tánaiste had with like-minded European counterparts, by which I mean those who also do not want to see the Mercosur free trade agreement go through, and will he make a statement?

Sentiment score: 0.04

I thank the Tánaiste. France is one of the leading countries in opposition to this. It has said it does not want to see European farmers being used as an adjustment tool for trade. Similar to the Tánaiste, they question the environmental concerns about the deforestation of the Amazon and the weaker agricultural standards in Mercosur countries. Poland is backing France in a blocking minority within the European Council. Will Ireland also formally join that blocking minority? At this stage, we need to get some formal systems and processes in place so that our agricultural and environmental sectors' fears are allayed and they know Ireland is doing everything possible. The Commission wants to finalise this deal by the year's end. It is important that we formally join France and Poland to oppose this deal.

Sentiment score: -0.05

If it is split and trade is dealt with separately, my understanding is that it will cause us concerns. Regarding European partners, has the Tánaiste had any conversations with the Netherlands and Italy? My understanding is that their framing of this is softening. Is the Tánaiste or is the State also trying to have conversations to get them back to a position where they are opposing it? I am concerned about recent reporting in The Business Post that said the Department was saying it was not as worried about the Mercosur deal and it was not as bad as people thought. Will the Tánaiste provide some comments on that? That is a very worrying message to be sent out to the sector. On the face of it, it would indicate Ireland was not fighting as hard as it should against the agreement if there was a general acceptance within the Department that it was not as bad as it could be.

Sentiment score: 0.13