Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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I would have more faith in it if there were occasions where trade agreements were suspended. Suspension does not mean ending. It applies until our partners get their act together. Deputy Barrett referred to the document. The document points out some of the failures which are not acceptable. Point 20 asks for an end to judicial persecution, harassment and imprisonment of independent journalists. These are issues we are asking them to tackle. What if they do not? Do we just say that an agreement is in place and hope they do if we ask nicely? If this is passed it does not come up for review. As I have said, the call for some agreements to be suspended over time has not been heeded. If Ireland calls for it, that does not mean the EU 27 or EU 28 will listen. This is an EU agreement, so in some ways it goes out of our hands once we have signed it. It is not in our gift to automatically suspend it. If it was a bilateral agreement we could have a parliamentary debate and a greater influence. It is a concern I have had around several of these agreements. At this stage I cannot vote for it.