Ireland to vote against Mercosur deal with decision to end potential Cabinet revolt

Despite the Irish opposition, the Mercosur deal is expected to pass a vote in the European Union on Friday. File picture: Dan Linehan

Ireland will vote against the Mercosur trade agreement, the Taoiseach and Tánaiste have confirmed.

The decision will head off a potential revolt from both the Independents in Government as well as Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil backbenchers, many of whom raised concerns about the EU–South America trade deal.

Critics have warned of an influx of South American beef into European markets. Despite Irish opposition, the Mercosur deal is expected to pass a vote in the European Union on Friday.

If approved, the deal would boost EU exports to Mercosur countries — Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay — but opponents argue it could distort agricultural markets if EU farmers are forced to compete with lower-cost South American beef.

Speaking in China, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Government will oppose the trade deal because concerns about safeguards have not been addressed.

“Our assessment of it is this that, over the years, we've placed a lot of obligations on Irish farmers, particularly from a climate perspective," he said. 

Mr Martin said Ireland has "one of the most carbon-efficient food production systems in the world" with extensive regulation "in respect of consumer protection, food safety, carbon efficiency, and climate protection measures".

"We do acknowledge that we have worked with like-minded partners, France and Italy and others in particular, in respect of enhancing the safeguards. I pay tribute to our MEPs who tabled amendments to strengthen those safeguards."

Mr Martin said the standards applied to Irish and European farmers must not be undermined.

Government’s position on Mercosur is 'clear'

In a statement, Tánaiste Simon Harris said the Government’s “position on Mercosur has always been clear”.

“We did not support the deal in the form in which it was presented,” he said.

“Over recent weeks, the Taoiseach, Minister Martin Heydon, Minister Helen McEntee and I have been intensively engaged, working right across the system to secure the best possible outcome for Ireland. That work has been carried out on two parallel tracks, though that reality has sometimes been lost in the noise of public commentary.

“First, we have been engaging closely with like-minded countries that share our concerns.

“Second, we have been working constructively to secure additional safeguards that would address the very real concerns of our citizens, particularly in relation to standards, fairness, and protections.

“This is what responsible government looks like. We must be able to hold a firm position while also doing the hard work of negotiation.

“Experienced governments do not deal in absolutes; they deal in outcomes.

“Unfortunately, the outcome in this negotiation is that although the EU has agreed to a number of additional measures, they are not sufficient to satisfy our citizens.

“So our position stands. We will vote against the agreement.”

'Not sufficient' to address concerns

Junior minister Michael Healy-Rae said Ireland can only “stand up” for its farmers, adding that the Government cannot control decisions made by countries such as France, Italy and Poland. Picture: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Independent ministers welcomed the decision, saying the additional EU measures were “not sufficient” to address farmers’ concerns.

“Independent Ministers and TDs agreed that voting in favour of the agreement, or abstaining, was not an acceptable option, and that we must remain true to the Programme for Government commitment to stand up for Irish farmers,” a spokesperson said.

“They believe Ireland is taking the right position at EU level to protect national interests, uphold environmental commitments, and safeguard Irish agriculture.” 

Junior minister Michael Healy-Rae said Ireland can only “stand up” for its farmers, adding that the Government cannot control decisions made by countries such as France, Italy and Poland.

He rejected claims Ireland would lose bargaining power by opposing the deal, saying future negotiations on issues such as CAP are “dealt with in isolation”.

“It would be very narrow minded of anybody in Europe to think they’d hold it against us,” Mr Healy Rae said, speaking on RTÉ Radio.

The Kerry TD denied he ever threatened to leave Government over the deal, saying he does not “operate that way”.

“We’re serious politicians. We’re about the long-term longevity of a Government so we can deliver on all of the different range of issues.” 

His comments came despite senior Government sources raising concerns on Wednesday that Mr Healy-Rae could walk away from the Coalition if it supported Mercosur.

Aindrias Moynihan, Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North-West and chair of the Oireachtas agriculture committee, said the committee has been “consistent on being against Mercosur” and met with European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and other European agricultural committees to outline its concerns.

He said it was “proper order” for the Government to vote against the deal.

“Our aim when we were meeting with the different agriculture committees was to see if there was the possibility of a blocking minority for countries against [it] and to see if you could get the population bulk in it as well,” he said.

“That’s what we were working towards. That's still possibly out there, and there is a parliament vote on it as well.

“This is a significant milestone now [Friday’s] vote, and it's consistent with what we haven't programmed for government, what we've been saying through the ag committee. This is what I would have expected from the government on it.”