MERCORSUR OPPOSITION NEEDS TO BE MORE THAN CYNICAL WORDS - AONTÚ
Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín TD has said the Government has shown no intention of doing anything to oppose the Mercosur deal apart from engaging in words, and called on Ministers to build a coalition to take action in Europe to protect the interests of Irish farmers.
The Meath West TD said:
“The Mercosur deal has been a key policy for the Presidency of Ursula Von Der Leyen - who is supported by the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael government. The truth is Michael Martin’s and Simon Harris has to date facilitated Von Der Leyen’s pursuit of this agreement.
To try now and engage in mere words as they did throughout the election campaign is an insult to hard working Irish farmers who have, alongside Aontú, opposed this deal every step of the way.
If the government were serious about opposing this, they would have at least begun work at EU level in building opposition, engaging with other EU countries that will be negatively impacted and ensuring our diplomats make Ireland’s position clear.
I believe the government is incredibly cynical. I believe that the government know, that without real opposition, this deal is likely to pass the qualified majority process in the EU. Strong words domestically and inaction on the European front will allow the government to blame big bad Brussels and escape any political damage.
Press release diplomacy is not good enough when the future of rural communities and farmers is at risk. It is even more cynical now that the Greens have been jettisoned by the public that any arguments about transporting produce from half way around the world to replace our own output has disappeared.
Aontú have stood squarely with farmers against this deal since the beginning and we are calling on Ministers to get on phones, to get on planes if needs be and build a viable coalition of EU countries against this deal that will have wide reaching consequences for this country - anything less would be merely a sham fight.”
