'Outrageous that Mercosur deal is going to be rushed through without debate' - Leitrim TD

A Sligo/Leitrim TD has expressed concern in relation to the process of how the EU Council intends to ratify the Mercosur Trade Agreement on Friday.

Deputy Martin Kenny described as outrageous the decision of the EU Council to rush through ratification without debate, and once again called on the Irish Government to explicitly state its position on the deal.

Teachta Kenny said: “It is outrageous that the EU Council is going to rush through the ratification of the Mercosur Trade Agreement on Friday without holding an EU Council meeting to discuss or debate the deal.

READ MORE: Gallery:  See inside property worth nearly €0.5M in walking distance from Leitrim town

“It is now going to be left to civil servants appointed by each member state to come to an agreement in principle on the deal and for each member state to submit their position and vote in writing to the council.

“Unsurprisingly, we still don’t know the official position of the Irish Government despite Sinn Fein requesting that the Government state its position on numerous occasions in the Dáil.

“The Taoiseach today has indicated that the government has not ruled out supporting the deal.  

“If it turns out to be the case that they do support this disastrous deal, it will be a major blow to Irish agriculture, public health, food safety and the environment.

READ MORE: No injuries reported as road closes following crash in South Leitrim

“As the Minister for Agriculture is meeting his counterparts in Brussels today, I would ask that he raises concerns and demand that a full EU Council meeting is held to discuss the Mercosur Trade Agreement.

“This deal has been in the negotiating stages for 25 years and it is unacceptable to rush through the ratification process without proper debate and full EU Council meeting and a vote at that meeting.

“There is widespread opposition to the Mercosur Trade Agreement among farmers, consumers, and politicians. The Taoiseach and the Government are out of touch when it comes to the Mercosur Trade Agreement.

“This is a bad deal for farmers, consumers and the environment and must be stopped.”