Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The point I was making earlier is that a false argument is being put forward by some, although not by the Senator, that CETA will somehow allow Canadian companies to sue the State or State agencies. This is a bogus argument because, as we have learned from this session, Canadian companies sue states all the time. Irish companies sue states too, and vice versa, and do so in courts and arbitration mechanisms. This is just a new system for doing something that already happens and will continue to happen.

The argument is made on the grounds of efficiency, transparency and speed, which the Senator has pointed out. I believe these to be benefits.

She is correct that one can be in favour of a trade deal and not be in favour of all aspects of it. This is negotiated, however, and this is done. It is a package and it has been ratified by the European Parliament. Most other member states, 15 of the 27, which are member states further along than we are, for example, France and the Netherlands, have ratified it by their lower house as I mentioned earlier. Since I have been the Minister, there have been no discussions whatsoever at European Council level around a plan B or what we would do if it is not ratified. There is no expectation at EU level that this will be anything other than ratified. It is considered to be only a matter of time. Unfortunately, Ireland is one of the countries that is in the second half of countries when it comes to ratification and I hope that we will not slip further.