Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

A question was asked about the Cabinet Committee on European Affairs. We are in the middle of a crisis. The EU itself is in a crisis. Brexit has been a catalyst for that and there are other issues as well, including economic, social and political ones. Ireland needs to have a position on how we want to see the European Union evolve post-Brexit. Our membership changes as a result of the decision of the UK to leave the EU and our relationships with other countries will have to take stock of that change. Other countries, for example, France and Germany, are raising the old tax harmonisation agenda. There is talk of more centralisation of powers within the European Union. We need to speak up for what we want and how we envisage the European Union evolving. Is it not time for us to produce a detailed White Paper on European Union policy?

I have sought a debate on the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, CETA, for the past three weeks. I disagree fundamentally with what previous Deputies have stated. Trade matters for Ireland. It creates jobs for Ireland. Are we seriously stating that Ireland should be an isolationist Ireland on the periphery of Europe that does not want to be part of any global trade agreements? It beggars belief that such an argument is gaining sway without any counterargument being facilitated in the national Parliament. We need a full-blooded debate on what Ireland wants in terms of trade. The lifeblood of small to medium-sized enterprises, services, agrifood and traditional manufacturing is trade.

The Canadian deal opens up significant opportunities for those involved in the export of infant formula, beef and other products as well as those involved in software services. It presents a great opportunity, so why the hell are people arguing that we should not create that opportunity for Irish companies? It is always a one-way train: this must be terrible, is terrible and should never happen. People should realise that Canada and Ireland have a lot in common. We have similar systems and we can and will benefit from access to the Canadian market. This is particularly so for our services sector and some of our food companies. We need a proper, comprehensive debate in this House so that the other side of the argument is heard. There is value in having open trade. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, this country decided to be outward looking and to be open in its approach to trade. The approach has been beneficial in terms of jobs and industrial policy. It is time to state that fact.

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