Collins condemns Simon Harris attack on MEP as an attack on democracy and Irish farmers

Collins condemns Simon Harris attack on MEP as an attack on democracy and Irish farmers

Leader of Independent Ireland and Cork South-West TD Michael Collins has strongly criticised Tánaiste Simon Harris, his party and Fine Gael MEPs following what he described as an extraordinary and unwarranted attack on an elected MEP who was delivering on his democratic mandate in opposing the Mercosur trade deal.

Deputy Collins said the Tánaiste's comments represent not just an attack on MEP Mullooly, but a broader assault on Irish farmers, Irish food safety and the democratic process itself.

“It is an extraordinary situation when a Government leader publicly attacks an MEP for doing exactly what he was elected to do. This was not ‘performative politics’. This was an MEP delivering on his mandate and standing up for Irish farmers and food standards, a mandate Fine Gael once held strong but that is rapidly slipping away as a result of his parties failure to stand decisively with Irish farmers on this issue” Deputy Collins said.

He said the incident exposes a growing and undeniable split within Fine Gael, and that the division is coming from the very top of the party.

“What we are seeing now is a party at war with itself. There is a major split within Fine Gael, and it is being driven from the leadership down. Instead of listening to farmers and rural communities, they are lashing out at those who stand up for them,” he said.

Deputy Collins said attempts by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and some Independent MEPs to join forces to attack Independent Ireland following a significant victory for farmers have laid bare the reality of Government claims on Mercosur.

“After Independent Ireland helped secure a major win for Irish farmers and Irish food safety, the mask has slipped. The same parties that claimed to oppose Mercosur are now circling the wagons to undermine those who actually stood firm,” he said.

He said the Government’s stated opposition to Mercosur has been exposed as weak and insincere.

“Any talk of opposing Mercosur by this Government has been shown for what it is — half-hearted at best. They were dragged kicking and screaming to even say no, and even then it was barely a no. Farmers were never fooled, and now the public can see it clearly too,” Deputy Collins said.

He warned that the stakes could not be higher for Irish agriculture and consumers.

Deputy Collins said Independent Ireland will not be silenced or intimidated for standing up for Irish farmers.

“We will continue to speak out, we will continue to stand with farmers, and we will continue to defend Irish food standards. The people who have shown their true colours in recent days should reflect long and hard on whose side they are really on,” he said.