Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As always, there was a broad range of questions. I will start with the issue of TTIP, which was the subject of the Chairman's second question and referenced by Senator Reilly. I attended the informal TTIP negotiations in Rome on behalf of the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, last month. Also there was Mr. Michael Froman, the United States trade representative, and the outgoing Trade Commissioner, Mr. Karel De Gucht. Senator Reilly mentioned the ISDS issue, which was discussed. We need to get back to basics on TTIP. The Chairman will be aware that the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, CETA, with Canada is progressing well. The 28 member states must not focus overly on their national issues to the point where the trade deal falls apart. We must remember that this deal has the potential for the EU as a whole to deliver annual GDP growth of approximately 2%. This figure can be disputed and, by definition, is an unknown one, but such a level of growth in the global economy could be crucial in creating the jobs and so on to which we all aspire.

I will reference some of our concerns. As a small, open economy, we are supportive of concluding a robust trade deal. Deputy Kyne identified a matter in respect of which we have concerns. We are optimistic, however, that with regulation and a standardisation of the standards to apply to beef from the US and Europe, this issue can be addressed. We are aware of the beef industry's concerns and the dairy sector's encouragement for us to achieve progress. With the ending of the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, there are significant opportunities for Ireland in this space.

Deputy O'Reilly asked about jobs, investment and President Jean-Claude Juncker's dialogue on the €300 billion, which will be the subject matters of the December Council. There is talk of a blending of private and public moneys. In terms of small and medium-sized enterprises in particular, there is a requirement that our customer markets, including the EU, achieve again some level of growth after an absence of a number of years. We have achieved quite a number of months of growth with much difficulty, but progress elsewhere is necessary. As the Deputy is aware, the joint European Commission-European Investment Bank task force is developing an investment project pipeline. Within the context of that discussion, countries are being asked to feed in projects. This has happened in Ireland and other member states. In parallel, the process will establish clearly where the money will come from and on which projects money will be spent. It will consider specific projects. Deputy O'Reilly will be aware that we met with considerable success in the multi-annual funding process and secured money for the BMW region. The purpose of cohesion funding is to ensure that those regions requiring support receive it. Like us, the Deputy will be keeping an eye on the matter. His question on the territorial dimension is to the forefront for the island as a whole as opposed to just the BMW region.

Returning to TTIP, I meant to point out an important element that may be being overlooked. The real benefit for Ireland of a robust trade deal is for our SMEs. The same applies across the Union as a whole as well as in the US. Multinational corporations have the ability to move to get around various laws, etc.

However, smaller businesses require the removal of barriers to trade to allow them develop their business and, consequently, create employment. We had this discussion previously where it was stated that if every small and medium enterprise took on another employee, the unemployment problem within the European Union would cease.

The rule of law is a very important issue as Deputy Eric Byrne said. To answer the second part of his question, the concern is that currently there is no adequate monitoring mechanism to ensure that member states continue to uphold the rule of law or a forum for an open and honest discussion of potential breaches. To alleviate some of his fears, the political and institutional mechanisms foreseen by article 7 of the treaty provide that member states can be sanctioned and suspended from voting in Council in cases of serious and persistent breach of EU values. This has never been used and is considered a last resort. To respond to the first part of the Deputy's question, our position is that the protection of the rule of law on human rights is a cornerstone of our foreign policy. I think that goes to the core of what all parties here believe. We consider it essential that all member states demonstrate respect in their domestic policies for the fundamental values upon which the European Union is based. In Ireland, as elsewhere, there is a need to constantly review our legislation and European laws and rules in light of the changing fabric and circumstances not only across Europe, but in our own country. We have had debates in our own Parliament recently on xenophobia and other issues. It is incumbent on us to ensure in this and the Upper House that we are constantly vigilant to any form of racism or hate crimes that happen on this island while also engaging with our European partners in that regard for the Continent as a whole.