Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to share my time with Deputy Pringle, six minutes and four minutes. The two most urgent issues for the European community is the human tragedy in Syria, with the loss of life, the destruction and the displacement, and what only can be described as a sleepwalking exercised into CETA. I listened to the Taoiseach's speech on CETA and the long list of positive reasons to support it, but there was no mention of the investor-state dispute settlement, ISDS, mechanism, the protection of public services, a Dáil debate or the need to ratify. There are concerns, yet we appear to be pushing ahead for Ireland to sign on 27 October and ratify in December.

There is disquiet, concern, criticism and outright opposition to this agreement, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, TTIP, and theeconomic partnership agreements, EPAs.The critics are not anti-trade, but why is there this rush to sign while the EU is waiting on a decision from the European Court of Justice on the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement? If the ISDS goes through, this State can be sued by corporations and multinationals for loss of profit and the loss of potential profit. While this aspect appears to be removed from the provisional application, we know it is not gone. Do these investor courts have any place in trade deals? Will Ireland seek a ruling from the European Court of Justice on the ISDS? What way will Ireland vote on the ISDS mechanism if there is an option against its inclusion? The recent Seanad motion has to be taken into account, and also the serious aspects in terms of our Constitution and signing the agreement. The advice of the Attorney General should be sought.

There is another aspect to this and it relates to development aid from Ireland and the EU because it seems that the private sector will be the driver of the new sustainable development goals. There is a real possibility of development aid from Ireland and from the EU being used to underwrite or de-risk private sector investment and loans. There is a particular implication for agriculture. What we are seeing is European food exports and European food companies becoming increasingly dominant across Africa.

That is contributing to unemployment on African lands, to food security risks, to rural flight and to migration. There is a need for a human rights assessment of the effect of EU and Irish agricultural investments in Africa, as the Danish agricultural group, Arla, has done. In the area of EU and international aid, there is an increasing emphasis on terms like "strategic advantage" and "commercialisation" and it undermines the good reputation we have when it comes to aid.

Syria shows how ineffective the EU and the United Nations are. We said "Never again" after Rwanda and after Srebrenica but another such situation arises now in Syria. There is indiscriminate bombing and indeterminate bombing of schools, market places and hospitals. The EU has to use all the influence it has not just on Russia and Iran, but also on the United States and EU member states to stop the bombing. At the very least, the EU has to take a lead in continuing the ceasefire. There has to be a minimum of three days' ceasefire so that there can be medical evacuation and medical supplies can go in. Apart from injuries through war, Médecins sans Frontières has told me of the effect on people with illnesses, such as diabetes or asthma, who have not been able to access the medication they need. We do not have a strong EU voice on this matter.

We are also seeing siege being used as a war tactic in Syria, something we associate with the Middle Ages, but is taking place in a country that is only a four-hour flight from Ireland. The Taoiseach spoke about how we were dealing with refugees but we are extremely slow and need to be more flexible and fairer. We also need a fast-track system to help Syrian refugees.

I hope Ireland can have a voice at EU level on the Cuban blockade. The Cuban five have eventually been released from their unjust imprisonment in America, due to the campaigns and intervention of people like Pope Francis. With the support of President Obama, there are better diplomatic relations and there has been an easing of some travel restrictions but the blockade continues. It is illegal and immoral and it is having disastrous effects on the people of Cuba. Irish and European banks cannot have any engagement with Cuba so billions in money and resources are being lost to Cuba as a result. Our President is visiting next February and we have good relationships with Cuba. We will be part of the resolution to stop the blockade and will vote against it with other European countries but the blockade continues.

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