The Tánaiste has stated that the EU “can’t take for granted” the trade deal with Mercosur, the South American bloc, will proceed, reports Breaking News.
Speaking to reporters on Friday at the Stripe Young Scientist exhibition, Simon Harris said: “No officials, at any level, including the European Commission, should ever take for granted the decisions that the democratically elected representatives right across the European Union may decide to make in the European Parliament,” reports Breaking News.
Earlier on Friday, EU envoys gave provisional approval to the trade agreement with Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay – though it still requires endorsement from the European Parliament, reports Breaking News.
The Irish Government confirmed on Thursday that it would not support the deal in its present form.
Mr Harris acknowledged: “It looks more likely than not that it will pass the parliament.”
But he added “it’s not a done deal” and noted “there’s still a window of time” to “outline the concerns that we have in relation to the agreement”, reports Breaking News.
He indicated the Government had not excluded backing the deal “if changes and improvements” are introduced concerning food safety and “parity” with environmental standards.
Mr Harris emphasised that Ireland “benefits from free trade” but that “it has to be free trade that doesn’t expect our farmers or our consumers to adopt a different set of standards”.
The agreement has faced strong opposition from the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) and has also caused divisions within Government, including among independents who backed the coalition’s formation, reports Breaking News.
Speaking on Limerick’s Live 95 radio on Friday, the Minister for Culture said Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael MEPs will vote against the EU-Mercosur agreement when it reaches the European Parliament.
Patrick O’Donovan said government party MEPs are “bound” by the programme for government and the decision by the Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon not to support the deal.
IFA president Francie Gorman called the news of the EU’s provisional approval “very disappointing”.
He said: “This morning’s outcome shows that the Irish Government was not alone in expressing deep reservations about the deal and what it means for farmers and public health.
“The Commission cannot ignore the scale of the opposition to the deal,” reports Breaking News.
Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman said: “The Mercosur Trade Agreement is not fair.
“It’s not fair to Irish farmers, who have to compete with food raised to much lower welfare standards.
“It’s not fair to Irish consumers, who will be exposed to beef reared using excessive hormones and pesticides.”
A demonstration against the deal is set to occur in Athlone on Saturday, reports Breaking News.
Gardaí have warned of “significant” extra traffic in the region, including slow-moving vehicles.
They anticipate a convoy of agricultural vehicles travelling from the Roscommon Road, along the N6 eastbound and along the N55 towards the Cornamaddy roundabout.
There is also a planned march to TUS Athlone, followed by a rally and speeches, reports Breaking News.
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