Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Commissioner. I hope he gets to see places outside of Dublin as well. The 7 October attacks should not have happened and the hostages should be released but, as the Commissioner well knows, we are witnessing one of the most grievous crimes and instances of genocide in our lifetime. We have serious questions about Europe. I preface this by saying I follow what the Commissioner is doing and admire his stance and how he has stood up. The people of Ireland want to know why Europe sat on its hands for so long? Why the slow response? As I speak, people are dying but some of the states in our Union are selling arms or components of arms to Israel. It just does not add up for the people of Ireland. I am very interested to hear the Commissioner's comments on that.

On Mercosur, the Irish farmer is such an important part not only of our community but of the social fabric of our country. As I said, I would love if the Commissioner could go down the country and see how ingrained they are in what happens. If farming is not going well, our small towns and villages suffer. It is not only farming. Our tillage sector is on its knees. There is a fear with Mercosur that we will be flooded with cheap goods, when we pride ourselves on quality. There is a conveyor belt of young farmers today in Dublin Airport going abroad because they do not see any future in farming. Farming in Ireland is more than just a community; it is part of what we are. I would really appreciate the Commissioner's comments on both of those issues.