Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste for his presentation. In the context of the ratification of the treaty, he mentioned that he would not like it to be delayed indefinitely and that ratification would send out a positive message from Ireland at this time. How quickly would he like it to be ratified? He mentioned that 15 of the 27 member states have already ratified it. As a committee, we are coming to the end of our scrutiny process, although I am not sure what other Oireachtas committees are doing. Moreover, the trade agreement is being provisionally applied. Would the Tánaiste like the Dáil to conclude its deliberations on this matter before the July recess? How urgent does he consider it to be from an Irish point of view?

I accept that the Tánaiste cannot comment on the High Court challenge being taken by Deputy Costello, but is that challenge to the constitutionality of the trade agreement something he considers to be relevant or should we just proceed at a political level? There is potential for a referendum arising out of this process but, having said that, the submissions we have received seem to suggest that it is constitutional. How quickly would the Tánaiste like the Dáil to ratify the agreement?

On the lobbying of the Tánaiste, in his position as Minister, in respect of this issue by Canadian interests or general business interests, has he had many meetings in that regard? Has he been lobbied to any great degree by those interests on the importance of this trade agreement and its ratification?