Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the speakers very much for joining us. With your indulgence, a Chathaoirligh, what I hope to do with your enlightened approach is to split my questions into two groups. The first group is for Ms Drisdelle and Mr. East and the second is for Mr. Collenette. I ask Ms Drisdelle and Mr. East to bear in mind when responding that I still have a few questions for Mr. Collenette. I would really appreciate that.

I was very happy to hear the witnesses mention the moves last month in the Canadian Parliament to declare March Irish heritage month. I know James Maloney, MP, well. He has visited this House many times when that was possible and I look forward to seeing him back in Dublin. He has played a very important role in the Irish-Canadian relationship at a parliamentary level. Could Ms Drisdelle and Mr. East possibly flesh out the Canadian aspirations for CETA because we will hear a great deal about Irish and EU aspirations? Could they provide more detail on where the Canadian Government sees it fitting into the overall Canada-Ireland friendship? Being a little more political, what is the public response in Canada to CETA? We know what the public response has been in Ireland and we hear regular reference to the public response across the EU, but very little emphasis is put on concerns or aspirations in Canada. An issue that many people will avoid, from a Canadian point of view, is what would happen if EU member states failed to ratify CETA. Where would the Canadian Government take the deal? What are its aspirations or concerns?

I have a related question for Mr. East. We have not spoken yet but I know from his curriculum vitae that he was very closely involved in the negotiations.

Many people are saying that if the deal has to be reopened, now is the time that can be done and that we should push for that. From a Canadian point of view, can CETA realistically be reopened? From a Canadian point of view, and bearing in mind that Canada is representative of many of our global markets and aspirations, what do the witnesses think it would say about Ireland if this country, rather than the EU, were not to ratify the agreement?