Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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A number of Canadian property companies invest in Ireland and are funding the development of new housing. That will not change as a consequence of CETA but, again, any case that a company would take against Ireland would have to be on the basis that it is being discriminated against, treated unfairly or in a way we would not treat a European or domestic company. If we, for example, bring in a rent freeze in real terms by linking rents to inflation, that will apply to companies whether they are British, European, Irish or Canadian. No Canadian company could then say it has been treated unfairly or discriminated against. The same would apply to any public policy we may change. The point is that the companies could only take an action - and anyone can take an action about anything - be successful in the courts and get compensation if they were discriminated against and treated unfairly and differently from domestic companies.