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

I would also like to make a point about the Seanad's rejection of CETA, which is very significant. There are still concerns about the implications for jobs, particularly in small and medium enterprises, and about agriculture, particularly milk and beef prices. There is a danger of us being flooded by genetically modified foods. The people of Wallonia, who are very dependent on dairy and beef products, like us, have voted against this agreement five times. They wanted the Belgian Government to bring this to the European Court of Justice to see if this is legal under European law, as is their right under Article 218. There are concerns that, while there are chapters on labour and sustainable development, there is nothing on violation of those particular standards. The other concern is about future privatisation of public services and that CETA could open a floodgate for that to happen. I ask the Minister to clarify if we are going to wait for the European Court of Justice ruling before the vote is taken here.

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