Mercosur Trade Agreement: Motion [Private Members]
Dail Éireann — 2026-01-13
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Timmy Dooley (FF), Clare

They know full well that this decision does not diminish Ireland's commitment to trade with the European Union or to the international engagement. Rather, it reflects a careful, evidence-based judgment that trade policy must be fair, sustainable and balanced. The Government will continue to engage constructively as the process moves forward, including ahead of the European Parliament vote. We will continue to advocate for the strongest possible implementation of safeguards, standards and commitments secured through Ireland's engagement. This is the balanced and responsible approach the Government has taken throughout. It is one that recognises opportunity, confronts risk and places the long-term interests of the Irish people in urban and rural areas at the centre of decision-making. For those reasons, the Government stands by its position, commends its amendment to the House and reaffirms its commitment to Irish farmers and rural communities, to Ireland's future and to the outward looking trading nation we are.
While the Deputies seek to undermine our activities here, I have heard no one - perhaps one or two on the other side - give any credibility to the work of the Government on the retention of the nitrates derogation-----

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-01-13/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:30+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-01-13