Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)

If it is split and trade is dealt with separately, my understanding is that it will cause us concerns.

Regarding European partners, has the Tánaiste had any conversations with the Netherlands and Italy? My understanding is that their framing of this is softening. Is the Tánaiste or is the State also trying to have conversations to get them back to a position where they are opposing it?

I am concerned about recent reporting in The Business Post that said the Department was saying it was not as worried about the Mercosur deal and it was not as bad as people thought. Will the Tánaiste provide some comments on that? That is a very worrying message to be sent out to the sector. On the face of it, it would indicate Ireland was not fighting as hard as it should against the agreement if there was a general acceptance within the Department that it was not as bad as it could be.

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