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

I thank Deputy Haughey for his remarks. What he says is absolutely correct, first in regard to challenges faced by these countries and, second, building up ties and relationships is so important and of huge value to the EU into the future in a very uncertain geopolitical space. In the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, CELAC, conference in July, climate is going to be one of the key areas of the agenda. We have a huge body of work to do in that regard. The Taoiseach will be to the forefront in raising those concerns, not only raising them but trying to do something about them, trying to change the way in which we approach trade deals. Obviously Mercosur is one of the key issues in regard to the concerns that are raised in this State about the adverse consequences of climate change and ways other countries could, through unintended consequences, be incentivised in the agri-market. Hopefully the annex to this agreement will satisfy some of those concerns. I have not seen that as yet but I was advised yesterday that it is currently being worked on. Hopefully it will be robust because we need those safeguards in our trade agreements. I will bring the Deputy's remarks to the attention of the Taoiseach.