David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

-----and his passionate contribution to this debate. He is 100% right about Bolsonaro and the ranchers. Irish beef is four times more compliant, it is traceable and it is monitored for hormones. If we look at the deal, there is also a question concerning the distribution of the cuts. There could be up to a 30% of an impact on the Irish beef industry. I am not just concerned with the beef.

I am concerned for the planet. That is why I used bad language on the Order of Business. I did want to get a soundbite. I wanted to get something out there and to get the people of Ireland to wake up to what is happening on this planet. I have been in the Amazon basin and seen the deforestation. I have heard the chainsaws working and seen the enormous clouds of smoke over the forest. It is appalling what is going on there. People are not speaking out against that. Regarding what was said about reforestation, that is a complete load of nonsense. The rain forest is a naturally-occurring wilderness in which all kinds of diversity occurs. It is not possible to replicate that diversity with replanting. That is complete and utter nonsense as well.

The Minister stated that she has heard and understood the concerns expressed. That is not enough. We need action. Regarding her earlier statement that in the context of "concerns regarding climate change and deforestation, Mercosur, including Brazil, will have to implement fully the Paris climate agreement as part of this deal" and so on. Who is going to monitor that? What mechanism will be involved? I do not trust Bolsonaro for one second, particularly when he is protected by the other arch-climate change denier, President Trump. We have to have proper monitoring mechanisms or it will be a complete farce and a load of nonsense.