An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
Dail Éireann — 2026-01-27
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Michael Collins (II), Cork South-West

This is a straightforward question and Irish farmers deserve a straightforward answer. Did the Taoiseach or any member of his Government give any commitment or assurance, or make any side deal, formal or informal, to the European Commission to support, facilitate or not obstruct the approval of the Mercosur trade agreement? Yes or no? While on an official visit to China, the Taoiseach made statements that were widely understood at EU level as supporting Mercosur. Within 24 hours, that position changed. What exactly happened in that 24-hour period? What information emerged? What decision was taken, or what agreement fell apart that explains the reversal? There are claims circulating in Brussels that Ireland reneged on an understanding with the Commission to back Mercosur. Will the Taoiseach categorically state to this House whether that claim is true or false? If false, will he confirm that no such deal ever existed? Anything less than a clear answer leaves farmers entitled to conclude that something is being withheld.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-01-27/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-14T01:01:01+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-01-27