Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 22 September 2021

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement: Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Photo of Paul GavanPaul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I would not take it as straightforward at all. The fact of the matter is that there are major concerns about this treaty, and the ICS aspect of it in particular. As has been pointed out, and as the Minister has conceded, private citizens cannot use this treaty. This is a special court just for companies. When one thinks of the hurdles that private citizens have to go through before they can take a case to the Supreme Court, how is it in Irish people's interest to set up a separate court system specifically for companies?

Second, I do not understand the Minister's lack of concern. He said that the risks to Ireland of having to pay compensation in respect of this treaty are negligible. However, as has been pointed out, more than 1,000 Canadian companies are currently taking cases. What is wrong with our own court system?

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