Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 October 2025
153. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update on the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement, and Ireland’s position on the adoption of the agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57131/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra154. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his assessment of the environmental impact of the proposed EU-Mercosur trade agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49376/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Question No 153 and Question No 154 together.
The European Commission presented its final package on the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement on 3 September for onward adoption and approval by the Council of the European Union and European Parliament. The package includes the consolidated text of the original agreement negotiated in 2019 and the additional legal instrument addressing trade and sustainability commitments which was agreed last December. It also includes several accompanying initiatives, which are intended to address agricultural sector concerns.
Throughout the negotiations of this agreement, the Government made clear to the Commission Ireland’s key requirements in regard to the deal. We repeatedly raised concerns in relation to our priority areas of climate, biodiversity, deforestation, as well as protections and assurances in regard to incomes of farmers in Ireland.
We have always been clear that such agreements must defend our most vulnerable sectors and that our farmers’ livelihoods must not be undermined through weak or ineffective environmental standards in other countries. This position is clearly outlined in the Programme for Government, which, in January 2025, stated that the Government will work with like-minded EU countries to stand up for Irish farmers and defend our interests in opposing the current Mercosur trade deal. In our trade negotiations, we have always been guided by standing up for and defending the interests of Irish farmers, along with raising concerns on climate, biodiversity and deforestation.
I wish to assure the Deputies that I and my officials have continued to engage at EU level – with both the European Commission and with counterparts in EU Member States, including like-minded countries – to voice our concerns with the agreement and to interrogate the outcome of negotiations to assess if our concerns have been adequately addressed.
The Government has remained in regular contact with Irish stakeholders from the agriculture, environment and business sectors, as we sought to fully understand their concerns. In early October, during EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefcovic’s visit to Ireland, we discussed international trade developments, including the EU-Mercosur agreement, and his engagement with a range of different stakeholders, including environmental NGOs.
It is now important that we take time to assess the agreement package in its entirety.
