Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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I am not an expert and I do not believe any of the committee members are. My concern is that this is potentially a huge deal but there has been no real debate on it. There have been headlines in newspapers but there has been no real information behind them on the talks. A veil of secrecy covers the discussions that are ongoing and what the impact will be. It concerns me that some people suggest that everything will be great because there must be a downside to any agreement. However, nobody has spoken of a potential downside and this signals to me that a debate is required to examine this area. I welcome the fact that this committee is examining this matter because prior to this only headlines in newspapers addressed the topic. People I have spoken to in the United States tell me there is more debate there on the impact this will have, with greater involvement from civil society and interest groups. Why has the same level of scrutiny not applied in Ireland and other European countries? Some feel this matter really relates to deregulation, which can be a good or bad thing. As Deputy Byrne asked, what are we deregulating and what impact will it have?

The headlines say €500 billion or €600 billion, depending on which newspaper one reads, and refer to increased trade, growth and jobs. The perception is that only a mad person would oppose an increase in jobs and growth and the agreement should be signed immediately. However, negotiations are ongoing and there is a lack of scrutiny in the Irish Parliament, the European Parliament and other parliaments. I welcome that the report has been commissioned. I do not think that the fact the report has been commissioned by the European United Left group means the independent researchers will be required to come to negative conclusions. The report does not point out only negative issues.

If we agree this is primarily about deregulation, how can we say there will more regulations or fewer? We have not yet agreed and negotiations are ongoing. There is a concern in Europe and the United States that social and environmental protections will be rolled back as a result of this. Nobody has mentioned the difference in regulation of genetically modified, GM, foods. Ireland has a view on this matter and the United States has a different one. Have the Irish Exporters Association and the Irish Business and Employers Confederation concerns about this? Ireland has attracted multinational companies because it is seen as a gateway to Europe. Will this partnership have an impact on this? What is the point in having the companies, particularly US companies, in Ireland if there is no need to do so? Is this a concern? Perhaps it is not.

Some studies have ignored this area. It is all seen as positive.

There has not been any mention of investor-state dispute settlements. We know from other trade agreements with Canada and Australia that difficulties arise in this regard. This is supposed to empower investors to challenge countries in international courts. The Government's ability to respond on issues relating to climate change or health policy without fear of trade litigation could be compromised. In Canada, a case was taken against the Quebec federal government. In Australia a case was brought over plain packaging of cigarettes. The Canadian case involved fracking. The can is being kicked down the road in regard to fracking in Ireland but a multinational company would be able to take this State to court on the basis that we interfered with its trade. Does that not sound the alarm bells? Are the witnesses concerned that we might be sued over plain packaging of cigarettes? Is that dumbing up or dumbing down health regulations?

It has been suggested that TTIP will reduce trade within the EU by up to 30%. It makes sense that if one throws the balls up in the air, they will land differently. That is what we are doing. There may be a positive outcome for some countries but others will be negatively affected depending on their level of development. Any change, whether through agreement between countries or otherwise, must be examined for the positives and the negatives. We are not hearing those voices. If certain industries are to be deregulated, will that not have a social impact? What is the trade union movement doing in Ireland? We have not heard from it in this debate. We have heard from the employers' federations and others but this is going to impact on workers, particularly those in vulnerable jobs. Is that a good or a bad thing? If there is potential for such huge change in employment levels, why have we not given it more attention?

If we achieve this greater agreement between the two biggest power blocs in the world, the US and Europe, emerging nations and least developed countries will find the environment more difficult. We are being told that the barriers are coming down and that trade between countries will be seamless. It will be harder to break into this bigger bloc.

It is refreshing to have a debate but all of us must put on our thinking hats. I am concerned we may sleepwalk into this agreement without sufficient debate or awareness among Irish companies of its impact.