Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I had a significant one-on-one meeting with my French counterpart specifically about Mercosur. Our links and engagement with France on this remain intense and ongoing.

Our position within the European Commission is very well understood. I do not think other member states would be in any way surprised by Ireland's position. What happens next is important. At the moment, the agreement is undergoing a legal scrubbing, after which it will be translated into all the EU languages.

It is worth repeating that there is still a degree of uncertainty over what form the final Commission proposal to member states will take. There is one of two ways it can go. It can go as what is called a mixed agreement - this would require unanimous member state approval, which clearly does not exist; or it could go as a split agreement, with the trade elements applied on an interim basis, which would require approval at Council under qualified majority voting. That is where the question arises as to whether there is a blocking minority, for want of a better phrase.

My sense of the situation is that a number of member states remain resolute in their opposition. An acknowledgement from some countries that the Commission has made steps to try to make improvements around the sustainability agenda and other important aspects, including empowerment of women and making the climate provisions of the Paris Agreement much more binding, would be helpful. There have been good efforts but I am sure we have not reached the level of clarification and assurance we in Ireland require. That work continues. I am also sure that is the position of a number of member states. There are some who seem to have a position that is somewhat evolving on this situation.

In the interim, my Department and other relevant Departments are continuing their own detailed analyses, continuing to consult with other member states and seeking further clarification and information from the Commission. It is expected that the Commission will present the final agreement package either late in quarter 2, which could be next month, or early in quarter 3, which would be after the summer recess.

See this speech in context