Tuesday 13 January 2026
  • :
  • :
Local Public Representative for Cork North West Region

Email : johnpaul.oshea@oireachtas.ie

Statement from Tánaiste on Mercosur vote

Jan 08, 2026

Statement from Tánaiste on Mercosur vote

The Government’s position on Mercosur has always been clear: we did not support the deal in the form in which it was presented.

 

Over recent weeks, the Taoiseach, Minister Martin Heydon, Minister Helen McEntee and I have been intensively engaged, working right across the system to secure the best possible outcome for Ireland. That work has been carried out on two parallel tracks, though that reality has sometimes been lost in the noise of public commentary.

 

First, we have been engaging closely with like-minded countries that share our concerns.

 

Second, we have been working constructively to secure additional safeguards that would address the very real concerns of our citizens, particularly in relation to standards, fairness, and protections.

 

This is what responsible government looks like. 

 

We must be able to hold a firm position while also doing the hard work of negotiation. 

 

Experienced governments do not deal in absolutes; they deal in outcomes.

 

Unfortunately, the outcome in this negotiation is that although the EU has agreed to a number of additional measures, they are not sufficient to satisfy our citizens.

 

So our position stands. We will vote against the agreement.

Previous PostRejecting Mercosur is the Right Decision for Irish Farmers