Micheál Martin’s comments “utterly unacceptable” says IFA president Francie GormanThe Taoiseach’s decision to frame the nitrates derogation and the Mercosur trade deal as part of the same negotiating landscape has left a bad taste among beef farmers, amid fears they could be sold out to secure wins elsewhere. Speaking ahead of last week’s European Council meeting in Brussels, Micheál Martin said there were “three to four issues that are central to agriculture” and said the government was looking at them “in the round”.

Source: Irish Independent December 23, 2025 07:01 UTC