Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

On the issue of whether the Parliament has the final say, the reason it is an attack on democracy and the Parliament is because if the agreement goes through, it will mean that multinational corporations will be able to sue national governments that put in place something to protect their environmental or business interests. For example, a company called Vattenfall is currently suing the German Government because it decided to change its policy on nuclear power. If we take a similar position in this Parliament, we could be sued. These agreements are designed to allow big corporations to make massive profits and to squeeze out small producers and providers of services. They are not designed for economies such as Ireland's or for Irish farmers. The Minister referred to Irish farmers and farmers in the North. They will not gain from CETA, it is the big corporations that will gain. Agreements of this nature are in place as a result of huge corporations making massive profits. The onus is on the Irish representatives at EU level to heed the severe warnings relating to CETA and other deals and to ensure that such agreements are put to bed. Will common sense prevail and will the Government lobby for the rejection of CETA in the European Parliament and will it ensure that the deal is rejected in this Parliament? The Minister has a choice. Will he support Irish farmers and small industry or this type of agreement?

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