Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Many people are concerned by the way in which the TTIP and ISDS negotiations are being conducted. Most of the lobbying has been done on the part of big business. There is a great deal of debate, but little has emanated from the negotiations so that citizens might consider the directions taken in decision making. Some have pointed to the example of tobacco companies threatening to take governments to court because the former believed their markets might be damaged by the introduction of health legislation. It is a risk, particularly in light of the ISDS element. If tobacco companies and the like can legally threaten an elected government that is legislating on behalf of the population, TTIP is a bad agreement. It might improve investment and industrial processing, but it will destroy democracy.

See this speech in context