ICSA president Sean McNamara has said that last night’s Dáil debate on the Sinn Féin private members’ motion, which called on the Government to take a clear stand against the Mercosur trade agreement at next month’s EU Council meeting, offered little reassurance that Government is prepared to do what is necessary to stop this hugely damaging deal. “ICSA was deeply disappointed with the response from Minister Heydon, who delivered a prepared speech and then left the chamber, even as many TDs continued to speak in solidarity with farmers and to make clear their opposition to this deal,” he said.

Mr McNamara was speaking from Brussels, where he is leading an ICSA delegation in meetings with MEPs to galvanise opposition to the Mercosur deal.

Continuing, Mr McNamara said, “While the Minister did not oppose last night’s motion, attendees were left with the strong impression that Government is still not doing nearly enough to build a blocking minority against this deal. The Minister knows full well that Mercosur will be devastating to Irish and European farmers, and he also knows the so-called safeguards will not work. We will never be able to protect our beef sector or the livelihoods of frontline food producers from the damage this agreement will cause. Pretending otherwise is insulting to farmers’ intelligence.”

Mr McNamara said motion highlighted the full scale of risks associated with the deal, and these concerns were echoed repeatedly during the debate. “The solidarity shown by TDs last night was welcome. But what we need now is action. Government must urgently step up, do the work with like-minded Member States, and build the blocking minority required at EU Council level. That’s the job at hand, and they need to stop dragging their feet.”

Concluding, Mr McNamara said, “ICSA is here in Brussels rallying opposition, meeting MEPs, and making it absolutely clear that Mercosur cannot be allowed to proceed. It undermines Irish and EU climate commitments, it threatens our food security, and it puts family farms in real danger. Ireland must take a firm and unambiguous stand, and it must do it now.”

ENDS