Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have great concerns about this EU-Singapore agreement, which is meant to build along the lines of a friendship with the Asians and intends to grow co-operation across many areas where a free trade agreement has been drawn up since November 2019. There are many human rights issues with regard to Singapore and its government in comparison to our country. We are a neutral country, which is different to what Singapore stands for. We have freedom of the press, even though it is sometimes stifled a bit, but it is a freedom as good as we can expect and far better than what Singapore has. We have freedom of expression, of which Ireland is proud and in which Singapore has an appalling record.

Many believe and I have heard some speakers here state that it creates money opportunities but I fear it could create many difficulties. One is also talking about a free trade deal and I would like to look into what that stands for in more detail, because we are not far away from a Brazilian Mercosur trade deal, through which most political parties in this country are throwing Irish agriculture under the bus. Will they consider doing the very same thing here? Is this what we are facing? The devil can be in the detail. One of the biggest offenders in respect of climate action, the Brazilians, will be able to bring their beef into this country and all over the world and sell it because of the trade deal that has been done out there with little or no concern for the worries of Irish farmers and agriculture.

Will we be facing the same here if a trade agreement made with Singapore? Does this include Irish agriculture and the beef trade deals that can be done behind the scenes? There are no concerns about climate action when it comes to other countries with this Government but there is a severe worry about climate action when it comes to our country. Due to the human rights issues and because we need further clarity on the trade agreement, I have serious concerns over it.

I will be opposing this every step of the way until we have further clarity on many those issues.

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