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

Okay. The agreements are very restricted. Added to this, the European Union and the Commissioner have consulted widely, both with Parliament and member states, and added further protection to copperfasten the full protection of a government’s right to regulate within the agreement, making sure the way in which the arbitration courts work is transparent, ensuring those who are appointed to them are either judges or persons who are fit to be judges, that they are appointed by the system, not by those involved in the process and that there will be an independent source of appeal to an investment court. This very comprehensive EU proposal has been presented to the United States and at this point there has not been a reaction to it. It remains on the table to be debated.

Many Deputies were concerned about the issue of transparency. I have done everything possible to facilitate committees and my departmental officials have been very generous with their time to ensure people are informed. I am pleased to announce that the consolidated text of the agreement will be available to Oireachtas Members for consultation in a reading room on Kildare Street. The agreement to allow this to take place was made before Christmas with the United States. It will be another element of openness and allow people to assess the agreement in a fair and transparent way.

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