Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Absolutely, and I hear that frustration. However, having worked on some other issues, it can be surprising how long it takes to get them to that stage.

On the Deputy’s direct question, since we founded our strategy regarding Latin America and the Caribbean in February 2022, there has been a huge increase in activity in that area. We have had eight outward high-level political visits. There are six missions now operating across the region. We opened an office of Central America within our embassy in Mexico in January 2023. We are strengthening our engagement right across the region, which we believe is a huge priority, critically for the reasons I referenced in my opening remarks.

We are increasing staffing levels at our six missions as well and the completing transfer of accreditation for seven Caribbean states from our mission in New York embassies right into the region. All of that forms part of the work as well as through the Oireachtas. The launch of the parliamentary friendship groups through Argentina, Brazil and Mexico is another strand and layer that is trying to foster and strengthen relationships. That will continue at pace.

In regard to Mercosur, obviously we are waiting for the publication of the final instrument. There is an annex or an agreement currently being worked on in regard to the sustainability aspect of the agreement which provoked huge concern from our agri-industry and in regard to non-sustainable activity happening in that area. We are doing the best we can in terms of producing green foods. Our agri-industry operates at a high standard. We are awaiting publication and annex 2 of the agreement is also being worked on. It has not been published yet, to my knowledge.