Michael Healy-Rae could walk away from Government over Mercosur trade deal
Senior Government sources said there was 'every chance' Kerry junior minister Michael Healy-Rae could walk away from Government over the EU/South American trade deal. File picture: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
The Coalition is hanging by a thread ahead of Friday's crunch decision on whether the Government will vote for or against the controversial Mercosur deal.
Senior Government sources said there is “every chance” Kerry junior minister Michael Healy-Rae could walk away from Government over the EU/South American trade deal. They also raised concerns about Seán Canney and Marian Harkin's opposition.
The loss of any Independent TDs would be a major hit to the Government's already razor-thin majority.
When asked if he would pull down the Government, Mr Healy-Rae told the it was “not even for discussion now” but insisted he and other Regional Independents’ opposition was “steadfast”.
While Taoiseach Micheál Martin did not close the door on Ireland agreeing to Mercosur, he said on Wednesday that "a lot of progress has been made on it".
Fine Gael TD and agriculture minister Martin Heydon said he had "grave concerns" about the deal, and had to "defend the rights" of Irish farmers.
Until now, the Government has repeatedly opposed the trade deal between the EU and South American countries, with concerns focusing on the importation of beef.
If approved, the deal would increase EU exports to Mercosur countries - Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay - but opponents say it could distort agricultural markets if EU farmers are forced to compete with lower-cost South American beef.
A vote on the deal is due to take place in the EU on Friday, with Italy now expected to vote in favour.
There is a growing acceptance Mercosur will pass, as Italian support would leave Ireland and other EU states without a blocking minority.
Mr Healy-Rae said the Regional Independents met ahead of a meeting between the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, and Mr Canney.
He said the group was “adamant and unanimous in saying that we should vote against it”.
When asked if he could pull the Government down if it agreed to vote in favour of Mercosur, Mr Healy-Rae said negotiations were ongoing.
“That's not even for discussion now,” he said.
“Government, all of us, are in negotiations about this. But [the Independents'] stance is very, very firm, and it's very steadfast.”
The three leaders will meet again on Thursday to discuss Mercosur, with a decision expected on Friday ahead of the EU vote.
Speaking in China, the Taoiseach did not definitively say Ireland would vote against the deal.
"We're working with like-minded countries, and have been including Italy, including France, in respect of Mercosur, and significant safeguards have been negotiated over the past 12 months”, he said.
“Those discussions and developments are still awaited in respect of additional safeguards, and the announcement in respect to an improvement in terms of the Common Agricultural Policy is also welcome.
"But the issue will be, will there be a blocking minority on Friday? The Government will continue to engage with our partners and Europe on this, and we make the decision towards the end of the week."
Asked if he was ruling out Ireland voting for the deal, Mr Martin said: "There's further work to be done before the discussions across Government on this".
He said while the Government still had concerns, a “lot of progress has been made”.
At an extraordinary meeting of EU agriculture ministers, Mr Heydon said he had “grave concerns” about the deal.
“I’ve viewed Mercosur negatively. It's my job as minister for agriculture to articulate that view and defend the rights of our farmers, particularly our beef sector,” he said.
Several Fianna Fáil backbenchers were critical of Mr Martin’s comments appearing to open the door to Mercosur, saying the party’s position during the general election campaign was to vote against the trade deal.
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