Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is telling us that everything is open and transparent but many people feel otherwise. The Minister is aware of the group, Corporate Europe Observatory, which has taken a close look at this. There is fierce opposition to the far-reaching rights for foreign investors in this treaty. There are fears they will be given the right to undermine existing legislation. It is almost as if they will be given the opportunity to write their own legislation.

Going against what the Minister says in his answer, Ms Emily O'Reilly has raised the point that the US has sought to veto access to some documents. She is concerned. For the US to say that it will be unhappy if certain documents are disclosed is, according to Ms. O'Reilly, not good enough. It gives the US a veto over disclosure of certain documents, which is worrying. Coming up with the final document, presenting it to people, telling them that this is what we are doing and letting them say "Yes" or "No" to it at that stage is not good enough. There must be greater engagement with the citizens throughout the process if people will be content with the final outcome.

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