Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin (Wicklow-Wexford, Sinn Fein)

Irish agriculture, public health and the environment cannot be sacrificed for the sake of Ursula von der Leyen selling more German cars in South America.

The time has come for Government TDs from Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Independents to stand with farmers instead of speaking out of both sides of their mouths, running with the hare and pulling with the hound. We have a large farming community in south Wicklow and north Wexford the members of which know that this deal is not good for them. The negotiations have concluded and the deal is done. Now is the time for people to decide if they are for or against it. It is very simple, get off the fence.

The Mercosur trade agreement is a terrible deal for agriculture. It is dangerous for Irish and EU consumers and deadly for the environment. Sinn Féin's motion calls for cross-party support to send a clear message that Ireland opposes this agreement. On Thursday last, I stood outside this House with all the farming organisations. I have met with farmers from across Wicklow and Wexford on many occasions. I welcome those who are here tonight. Not one of them supports this deal, which is absolutely wrong on every level and which will sound the death knell for Irish agriculture. The Government's response to date has been lacklustre. It has taken a sit-back-and-wait approach rather than fighting for the interests of Irish farmers and all consumers of Irish food. As already stated, the negotiations are now finished and the deal is done. Now it is time to decide and, basically, get off the fence.

Our beef is produced to world-class standards, yet we are forced to compete against cheap, inferior and substandard chemical beef from South America in respect of which there is little or no traceability. The agreement will devastate agriculture and accelerate the environmental destruction of rainforests, which are basically the lungs of the earth. All farming organisations are opposed to it. I salute them in the context of their strong presence here tonight. I ask the farmers of Ireland who do so to please stop voting for Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the parties that are selling them out. If this continues, it will be the equivalent of a turkey voting for Christmas in future.

We are sending a united message tonight that this deal must be stopped. It is not too late because the Government must do everything possible and work with other member states to use a blocking minority at the EU Council in December. This is a terrible deal for everybody.

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