The Taoiseach’s record on Mercosur has been a disaster. Last week saw one of the most incredible flip-flops in political history. One day, the Taoiseach was in support of Mercosur, saying it could be of benefit to the State and the next day he came out against it as well. I am not sure if that flip-flop came as a result of instability within Fianna Fáil and the backlash from its TDs or because Fine Gael basically outmanoeuvred Fianna Fáil just at the last minute also or because Italy gave the Taoiseach cover to make that change. It is fiercely cynical in relation to what is happening to farmers. Mercosur is an existential threat to farmers in this country. Will the Taoiseach help to lobby MEPs throughout the European Union to persuade them to vote against Mercosur? Will he support a boycott of Mercosur beef, which operates at a lower regulatory standard, in this country? Will he make sure there is proper labelling of Mercosur beef so Irish consumers can make that choice?
Sentiment score: -0.03
We have not discussed the changes or why the Taoiseach changed his mind on Mercosur within 24 hours.
Sentiment score: 0.00
The Taoiseach changed his language, then.
Sentiment score: 0.00
It is still an existential threat to rural Ireland.
Sentiment score: -0.53
For many, it will be.
Sentiment score: 0.00
I wish to raise the decision by Paschal Donohoe to excessively fund the World Bank to the tune of €10 million. There is potentially a serious conflict of interest in relation to this. That a former Minister for Finance would provide an extra €10 million of funding in excess of what the World Bank sought and in excess of what his own officials in the Department advised, an increase of 33% in funding just seven months before he landed a job worth €600,000 a year, is highly problematic. When we ask for money for people with disabilities or carers, the Government says there is no magic money tree yet there seems to be a magic money tree when it comes to funding organisations such as this. Will the Taoiseach join with Aontú in seeking that Paschal Donohoe makes himself available to the finance committee to answer questions on this?
Sentiment score: 0.10
It was €148 million.
Sentiment score: 0.00
That is not what the FOI states.
Sentiment score: 0.00