Photograph: iStockFianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews has said he is disappointed with the Government’s decision to vote against the Mercosur trade deal between the EU and a group of South American countries. If that comes to pass, the Irish vote against the deal will be symbolic. What is the Mercosur trade deal? The programme for government codifies Ireland’s opposition to the deal, committing the Coalition to “work with like-minded EU countries” in opposing Mercosur. Farming organisations also said Ireland’s stance on Mercosur is the right decision and called for continued opposition to Mercosur.

Source: The Irish Times January 09, 2026 06:29 UTC