Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Commissioner Hogan has said that the EU will put in place a €1 billion stabilisation fund in the event that the Mercosur deal leads to market instability. We know it will lead to market instability and I do not have the same faith in the Commissioner as the Minister has.

I welcome farming families from all the different farming organisations to the Public Gallery. Those people want to be at home and farming tonight, looking after their hay and crops, not in Dublin today, tomorrow and Thursday. They would not be here if they could avoid it. These are hard-working, decent people. The Minister, Deputy Creed, knows that as he is from farming stock. These farming families have been let down by Commissioner Hogan and the Government.

We know that our indigenous beef sector generates approximately €2.8 billion annually. It does not take a genius to figure out that even if Ireland was to receive the entirety of that fund it would be insufficient to match the fiscal damage that will ensue. There will be widespread chaos with the wipeout of farming families and communities. The Government has attacked the pubs, schools and An Garda Síochána. It is now going to plant trees in our good land.

How was that figure of €1 billion arrived at? Will the Minister accept that it is entirely inadequate?

How much control did elected governments and Members of the European Parliament have during the negotiations? The European Commission says it negotiated on behalf of the EU in line with the guidelines given to it by the governments of the 28 EU member states. What specific guidelines did the Minister or Ireland give to the Commission? To what extent did Ireland work together with EU member states to prepare the negotiations and negotiating strategies? What was the specific level of involvement? I want those questions answered.

I want to broaden out away from the agricultural sector. I understand the agreement will also open up the government procurement market of member states of Mercosur. The agreement will make it easier for European firms to bid for government contracts in Mercosur countries on equal terms with local companies. Is that going to be reciprocated here? Will small firms from Mercosur countries have easier access to our procurement bidding process? Has any analysis been conducted to assess how that might impact our SME sector which will be devastated, along with the small farmers? There are questions there for both Ministers.

See this speech in context