Scenes of water cannons being deployed on farmers who were protesting the Mercosur deal outside the European Parliament in Brussels have been described as “disturbing” in the Dáil.
Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice made the remarks in the chamber, noting that farmers from different countries had travelled to the EU capital to protest the controversial deal.
He called on Irish leaders to send an urgent message to Brussels, as other countries unite to try and block the deal. It comes as Taoiseach Micheál Martin was in Brussels today for a meeting with EU leaders.
“We know the ins and outs of it,” said Fitzmaurice. “This has been going on for a long time. We know that yesterday proposals that were put forward by many Irish MEPs and indeed European MEPs in amendments have basically been thrown to one side again.”
There were heated scenes on Thursday in the Belgium city where the European Union is headquartered, with police deploying tear gas and water cannons against thousands of farmers who blocked roads with tractors as European leaders gathered inside to debate a controversial trade deal with South Africa.
The protest appeared to descend into a full-scale riot as protestors threw potatoes at riot police, set off fireworks, and used their tractors to charge at officers, forcing them to retreat.
Eggs and potatoes were fired being thrown at riot police, and after some time a pile of tyres were set alight, meaning that black smoke could be seen from the European Parliament as leaders gathered for talks on Ukraine.
Police staged an intervention when violence escalated and sought to arrest some protesters, multiple outlets reported.
Critics who say that the agreement would damage the EU’s agricultural sector descended on Brussels, with 10,000 participants from 26 countries proposing the free trade agreement between the EU and the Mercosur bloc (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay).
Irish farmers, and indeed those across Europe, are concerned that they will lose out to cheaper goods, such as beef, sugar, rice and honey from South American countries facing fewer regulations.
“Ursula [von der Leyen] is on a mission. Ursula’s on a mission to jump on that plane to go over and sign the dotted line because she believes Mercosur and other stuff is more important […] she is prepared to sacrifice, basically, the farmers of Europe,” said Rural TD Fitzmaurice on Thursday.
“The people of Ireland are wondering. Firstly, within your government circles […] there’s hints coming out […] that we’re being told that Mercosur, basically, ‘Shut your mouth guys, you’ve been told’. And on the fishing, we’ve been shafted. If you get the derogation guys, that’s it, go with it – or we’ll put manners on you. I want to know, is that it? Is there any truth whatsoever in that?”
Mr Fitzmaurice asked Tánaiste Simon Harris today if Ireland would send a message to the EU, alongside countries like Italy and France, in seeking a delay. A number of EU states are currently trying to block the deal, with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni this week calling for a delay to the signing of the EU–Mercosur trade deal.
Her comments have hampered hopes of having the deal signed at a summit this week in Brazil. The Czech Republic, Malta, Hungary and Slovakia have also emerged as opponents of the agreement.
Euractiv reports that Meloni, whilst speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, said that agricultural safeguards linked to the deal must be finalised and discussed with farmers before an agreement can be signed. A vote among EU ambassadors is scheduled for tomorrow. If successful, it would give Commission President Ursula von der Leyen the go-ahead to sign the deal on 20 December, during a summit of Mercosur leaders hosted by Brazil – the nation which is currently the president of the South African bloc.
Mr Fitzmaurice called on Tánaiste Simon Harris to send a clear message that he too wanted to block the deal, which has led to mounting concern among farmers here.
On Wednesday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he believed there is “huge uncertainty” as to when that vote will be taken.
“The most important thing I want is a yes or a no – will you make a statement for the Irish people opposing the Mercosur deal, and state very clearly that you will join Italy, France, Poland and the other countries, which will get enough of a minority or majority, whatever way you want to put it, that will block this deal? That’s all I’m asking,” said the TD.
“If I don’t get a clear answer, I will take it that it’s a no; that you won’t do it,” Mr Fitzmaurice added.
Responding, Mr Harris said he felt it was “highly unlikely” that there would be a vote before the end of the year.
“I think that’s indicative of the fact that I don’t believe the blocking minority has disappeared,” he said. “The Programme for Government says two things – it says the government will oppose the Mecosur deal in its current form, and it secondly says we will work with like-minded countries in relation to that.”
“The Government has significant concerns in relation to Mercosur in its current form,” added the Tánaiste.
“Is there still a blocking minority?” asked Harris, claiming that neither italy nor France had indicated that they are going to change their position.
Mr Harris said it was not clear or certain how Italy or France, who have voiced opposition, were actually going to vote, and cast doubt on whether they would actually vote against the deal when it comes to the crunch.
“We’re not intending to do anything that ends the blocking minority. I’m asking the question though, is everyone in that group of blocking countries still resolute in their opposition?”
Roscommon TD Fitzmaurice answered: “Poland has made a clear-cut decision. France has asked that it would be kicked out to the New Year. That’s the least Ireland could do – they could issue a statement to join France on that. But whether we’re on the winning side or the losing side, we have to be on the side of our farmers. Our farmers are very clear in stating that they do not want that deal.”
“And I’m a believer that we put our head on the block. Don’t be afraid to ever be on the wrong side of it for the simple reason you have made a decision. At the moment, we are like a see-saw – we are neither one way or another. And we’ve got to step up and make a decision for the clarity for our farmers. Poland has led, in fairness. Our committee has had meetings with Poland, with France. We are going to be meeting with Austria. The least that Ireland could do is make a statement to go in line with France.
“If Ireland showed leadership, they would go out and say we are standing with Poland. We are opposed to this, and whether we are right or wrong in the end, whether you’re on the losing side or winning side, we didn’t sit on the fence and abstain. We had the guts to stand by our farmers right around the country. And I’m asking you in the spirit of Christmas, your Government, to do that. Let me join with France in saying I don’t believe the vote should take place in the calendar year 2025.”
Mr Harris agreed that he does not believe the vote should take place, adding that he does not believe it will before the year is over.