Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have a brief question to follow on from Deputy O'Reilly's question. To what extent has there been an evaluation by each of the organisations present of the benefits or negative aspects possibly accruing to the European Union and to this country in the event of this agreement proceeding? My other question relates to the extent to which the EU Parliament was influenced. What were the reasons behind yesterday's decision for deferral, in so far as we know now? Was it on the basis of information already in the public arena or on the basis of fear of the unknown? I fully accept, emphasise and support the need to ensure that whatever agreement is entered into, we fully know what it entails and that we do not buy something that will have a backlash.

My final question refers to multilateral investment courts. Is there any provision for bilateral dispute resolution? There was a suggestion in some previous trade arrangements between the European Union and the United States that some agencies fared better than others and that bargaining positions were adopted in the course of negotiations which seemed to disadvantage, to some extent, the very sectors referred to by my colleague, such as the agrifood sector. Given our dependency on that sector, we would have serious concerns. The reason for our concerns would be that Europe is a big place and a powerful economy in engineering and sciences, in which sectors we are improving, but it is hugely important that we recognise that in the event of there being some unseen or hidden agendas, we would have a serious price to pay because we are still a member of the European Union, bound by European Union laws. The extent to which that will be observed by negotiators on both sides of the Atlantic is hugely important to each of us.