On behalf of Independent Ireland, I wish a very happy Christmas and a prosperous new year to the Ceann Comhairle, the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, Members and the staff, without whom our job would be fairly tough. I also want to thank the people on the gate in Agriculture House. That are some who might not associate the latter with the Dáil, but they are there every morning at 7 o'clock and work late into the night. We should thank each and every one of them for the way they facilitate us. It was disturbing, to say the least, to see water canon being used in Brussels this morning on farmers from different countries who are there to protest about the Mercosur agreement. We know the ins and outs of this. It has been going on for a long time. Yesterday, amendments put forward by many MEPs from Ireland and other European countries have been basically thrown aside. Ursula is on a mission to jump on a plane, go over and sign on the dotted line because she believes that Mercs, etc., so more important that she is prepared to sacrifice the farmers of Europe. We are not going to go over and back debating the fact that we are looking through this or whatever. We know what is there. The people of Ireland are wondering what is going on within Government circles. I am going to be very straight and blunt. There are hints coming out, and I want the Tánaiste to categorically state whether or not they are true. We are basically being told to shut our mouths when it comes to Mercosur and about the fact that we have been shafted on fish stocks. We are being told, "If you get the derogation, guys, that's it. Go with us after that or we'll put manners on ye." Is there any truth whatsoever in that? The most important thing I want know - I am not going to be here all day talking about it because it is yes-no answer - is whether the Government will make a statement on behalf of the Irish people in opposition to the Mercosur deal and state very clearly that it will join Italy, France, Poland and the other countries in order to get a sufficient minority or majority, whatever way you want to put it, that will block this deal. That is all I am asking. I want a "Yes" or a "No". If I do not get a clear answer, I will take it as a "No" and that the Government will not do it.
Sentiment score: 0.12
Every Wednesday night, we press a button here and decide whether are for or against something. We lose some and we win some, but that is what we do; we make a decision. Poland has made a clear-cut decision. France has asked that the matter to be kicked out to the new year. The least Ireland could do would be to issue a statement and join France in that regard. Whether we are on the winning side or the losing side, we need to be on the side of our farmers. Our farmers are very clear in stating that they do not want that deal. I am a believer that we should put our heads on the block. The Government should never be afraid to be on the wrong side of something, if only for the simple reason that it can state that it made a decision. At the moment, we are like a seesaw; we are neither one way nor the other. We have to step up and make a decision in order to provide clarity for farmers. In fairness, Poland has led on this. Our committee has had meetings with Poland and France. We will be meeting Austria on Zoom. We are talking to their agriculture committees. The least Ireland should do is make a statement that it will be in line with France. If Ireland showed leadership and said we will stand with Poland and we are opposed to this-----
Sentiment score: 0.05
Whether it is right or wrong, and whether you are on the winning side or the losing side at the end, at least we did not sit on the fence and abstain. We had the guts to stand by our farmers right around the country. I am asking the Tánaiste -----
Sentiment score: -0.11
----- in the spirit of Christmas for his Government to do that.
Sentiment score: 0.18
But every block builds the house.
Sentiment score: -0.59