North West Minister angrily rejected claims that the government considered supporting the Mercosur Deal

A North West Junior Minster has responded angrily to claims by Sinn Fein that the government were considering selling out Irish farmers by supporting the Mercosur Deal. Minister of State Marian Harkin made the comments after the Taoiseach yesterday confirmed that the government could not support the deal due to concerns over Irish farmers being placed under pressure in the event of it going through. Minister Harkin says her opposition to the deal has been placed on the public record for a considerable period of time. The Sligo TD has expressed concern that the deal is likely to be passed in Europe with Italian support over the weekend. She says claims by local opposition TD's that the government were going to betray Irish farmers and vote in favour of Mercosur have angered her.