Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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142. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the outcome of recent discussions he had with the European Agriculture and Trade Commissioners on the need to protect the agrifood sector here in negotiations on a possible Mercosur trade deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19254/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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My objective in discussions with the Commission and with EU Ministerial counterparts has been to advance the Irish position in relation to Mercosur .

As a result of ongoing engagement, Ireland's position, and the vulnerability of its beef sector in particular, is well understood in the EU institutions and by other member states. Indeed Ireland played a central role in building an alliance of member states expressing concern at the prospect of a deal that could negatively affect EU agriculture.

I have articulated Ireland's concerns, as has my colleague Minister of State Andrew Doyle at the Council of Agriculture Ministers meetings, and by other Ministers in the relevant EU Trade policy fora. We have also made our views known through direct contacts with Commissioners Hogan and Malmstrom, and the Taoiseach has contacted Commission President Jean Claude Juncker and French President Emmanuel Macron.

I will continue to seek to influence negotiations in a manner that safeguards the interests of the Irish and European beef sector.