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

No, the Deputy is misinformed on this. The agreement does not allow companies to contest interference in respect of legitimate expectations. The range of cases that can be taken is narrow. These include denial of justice in criminal, civil or administrative proceedings; a fundamental breach of due process, manifest arbitrariness; and abusive treatment of investors. The agreement explicitly excludes workers' rights, environmental rights, health and safety regulations or similar public policy measures.

They cannot be the basis of any such challenge, so the Deputy is incorrect. Bad investor dispute settlement agreements have been negotiated in the past and the EU is seeking to introduce a new model which will be robust and inspire confidence in citizens and companies alike. That is why the changes introduced in this agreement, which were introduced in the Canadian agreement and are being further evolved in the US agreement, are being put in place.

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