Walsh claims Mullooly 'misled the public' on Mercusor comments (2025)

Fine Gael MEP, Maria Walsh has hit back at claims from MEP Ciaran Mullooly that theFine Gael party “voted against the wishes of Irish family farmers” on the Mercusor trade agreement.

The Midland North West MEP has claimed that Mullooly “misled the public on this issue, and has provided the media with incorrect information”.

She said: “That a former journalist would spread misinformation is disappointing and a disservice to constituents across the Midlands North West.

“Let me set the record straight. During April’s plenary session in Strasbourg, MEPs voted, as we do annually, on a report concerning the EU’s common foreign and security policy, not on the EU-Mercosur trade agreement as MEP Mullooly has said.

“Within this report, there were a number of amendments tabled in relation to Mercosur. The Mercosur agreement will come before the European Parliament for a final vote in due course,” Walsh added.

Earlier today, April 24, Mullooly claimed that one amendment called for the Mercosur deal to be “scrapped altogether due to its negative implications for food safety, agricultural sovereignty, and the environment”.

He said: “At a time when Irish family farms are under unprecedented pressure, it is more important than ever that Irish MEPs stand together to defend our agricultural sector.”

“The lack of solidarity—especially from Fine Gael—on these vital safeguards is deeply disappointing and sends the wrong message to farmers who depend on us for representation and protection,” he added.

MEP Maria Walsh

MEP Walsh disputes MEP Mullooly’s claims, and sought to clarify what way she voted.

She said: “Despite what MEP Mullooly has said, I voted in favour of amendment 1, which highlighted my concern regarding the potential negative impact of Mercosur on EU sustainability and food safety standards.

“The amendment also called on the parliament to examine whether the agreement meets EU standards and complies with the reciprocity principle. This amendment was passed by the parliament, and made the final text of the report.

“The only Irish MEPs to vote against this amendment were from Fianna Fail and Labour, yet MEP Mullooly has decided to omit this fact.”

Walsh said she voted in favour of strengthening food safety and fair competition and “in favour of protecting our farmers and rural Ireland”.

“I have made my opposition to the Mercosur deal in its current format very clear. My position aligns with that of the Irish government. It is a position that is very well known within the EPP (European People’s Party) and the European Parliament, as well as most importantly by my constituents,” she said

“The Mercosur agreement is of great significance to the Irish economy, agriculture sector, public health and climate.

“At a time when we require a united front to best support Ireland’s interests, MEP Mullooly has decided to ditch the green jersey in favour of political point-scoring.”

“This populist and ill-informed approach is of no value to his constituents, who deserve better from their public representatives,” she added.