Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Bruton, during Leaders' Questions this morning, I do not detect any significant push-back from the Minister in respect of this deal. Speaking recently on the issue of climate change, the Taoiseach indicated he intended to eat less beef. It appears that while people are being encouraged to eat less beef, there is no issue at European level with people eating South American rather than European beef. It defies logic that this deal is being proposed at European level. The bottom line is that it constitutes a political failure on the part of the Minister, the Taoiseach and, in particular, Commissioner Hogan who was so central to this process at European level. I know it will be subjected to the legal scrubbing process but the horse has bolted to some extent.

See this speech in context