Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My question is directed at the Taoiseach and to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Michael Creed, in particular, with regard to the potential impact and threat posed to Ireland's beef sector by the imminent deal around Mercosur. It has been mooted that up to 100,000 tonnes of beef had been agreed to, and informally agreed at EU level with the three Mercosur countries. I am sure the Minister would agree that if this was to come to pass it will have a massive impact on an already threatened beef sector. Will the Minister give the House an update on the status of those negotiations, and an assurance from the Government that it will not support any deal that involves this level of beef, as it would tremendously undermine an already vulnerable sector in Ireland?

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