Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To be fair, that has been reflected in the approach of Commissioner Malmström. There is a whole new approach being adopted, with greater engagement by citizens than has occurred previously in trade negotiations. The purpose of the TTIP negotiations is to generate jobs and growth by reducing barriers to trade and investment. As I mentioned to Deputy Seamus Healy, there is potential for 400,000 jobs across the EU and 8,000 additional jobs in Ireland from an ambitious trade agreement.

I welcome the wide interest in these negotiations and the opportunities it presents for constructive engagement and discussion on issues arising in the negotiations. I have sought to provide opportunity for open discussion. During the course of the past year, I have briefed the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Union Affairs. In June 2014, I hosted a conference in Dublin Castle for stakeholders, including Oireachtas Members. Last December, I participated in a round-table discussion with a range of stakeholders organised by the European Parliament’s office in Dublin. I plan to continue these engagements with the Oireachtas and MEPs. The publication in the next few weeks of the study commissioned by my Department on the opportunities of the TTIP for Ireland will provide further opportunity for engagement and openness on the issues of interest to us in these negotiations.

The European Commission is the EU’s negotiator in TTIP. Last November, the European Council of trade Ministers, which I attended, underlined the importance of better communicating the scope and the benefits of TTIP and called for enhanced transparency and dialogue with civil society. Commissioner Malmström’s response to this call for improving transparency and openness in the negotiations has been positive. The European Commission is making public more EU negotiating texts and is providing access to TTIP texts to all Members of the European Parliament. Fewer TTIP negotiating documents are classified as EU restricted.

Engagement with stakeholders during the TTIP negotiating rounds is now a permanent feature. Last week in Brussels, during the eighth round, in excess of 80 stakeholders from both sides of the Atlantic presented their views on the various aspects of the negotiations. This provides further opportunity for openness and transparency in direct stakeholder engagement with the negotiators.

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