Thomas Byrne

-----to the car factory.

Because some of them spoke to workers.

They were discussing with your constituents who work in factories in your area. That is probably why they had a different view.

I regret the term “traitors” being used in relation to MEPs who take their own democratic decision and who have taken into account their constituents and broad interests. There are two sides to this story. The Government did oppose Mercosur at the Council of the European Union, but it is also the case that the Government has acknowledged that certain sectors would benefit from it. MEPs are entitle…

And in Russian - let us face it.

And the Russians as well.

As well as the people of Venezuela.

That is not true.

Can we take a few questions and I will respond and then take a few more?

If that is okay. I do not want to forget any question if I can avoid it. On Gaza, significant aid was announced by the Minister this week. The European Council discussed the Middle East at some length during the meeting in December. The Irish Government is focused on support for the people there. That is important and the European Council supported the ceasefire, supports the commitment the EU ha…

Briefly, on that last point on Horizon Europe and PEACEPLUS, the discussion is currently under way on the multi-annual financial framework. That is discussed at my council every month and they are two of our most important objectives, along with of course, the Common Agricultural Policy. It is our number one objective to get a fully funded and separate Common Agricultural Policy. The European lead…

Sorry, farmers------

-----and the multinational companies in Little Island in Deputy O'Flynn's constituency. However, I have said all along, and the Government has said this consistently, that there is an issue with beef. Let us be clear what the issue is not, however. The issue is not standards within the European Union because the agreement specifically makes provision, and this continues no matter what way this goe…

No, it is coming directly into the European Union. With tariffs-----

It is coming in directly at the moment.

To be absolutely clear, the rule is that animal, plant and food product placed on the European market has to comply with the EU sanitary and phytosanitary requirements.

This is non-negotiable and applies regardless of the Mercosur trade agreement. In fact, they are specifically provided for in the Mercosur trade agreement.

Countries and establishments that produce food which comes into the EU market have to comply with EU law. There is an issue. There is no question-----

-----that there is an issue relating to beef farmers in the Mercosur agreement and I have said that all along. There is no question, particularly in relation to price, because that 99,000 tonnes already coming into the European Union will have a lower tariff. That is not in doubt. The Deputies are telling me we should be telling the European MEPs what to do, but what people like Barry Cowen have d…

This will open new opportunities for them and for machinery as well. All I am saying is-----

We are not sacrificing anybody-----

The Government has voted against it.

I will move on to fishing.

The fishing was not a good story. That was an outcome not of the European Council the Taoiseach attended but of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council and it will result in severely reduced fishing opportunities for Ireland this year.

I acknowledge that this has had a devastating impact on rural communities. The Minister of State, Deputy Dooley, worked very hard in relation to it, talking to other countries. He went around and visited them and lobbied them-----