Seanad debates

Tuesday, 19 July 2016

Commencement Matters

Trade Agreements

10:30 am

Photo of Alice-Mary HigginsAlice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Will the Minister of State address the concern that it is not at the discretion of Ireland to end provisional application if we find it to be incompatible with our Constitution because a qualified majority would be required to end provisional application? Will he also inform the House of the position taken by Ireland's permanent representatives who attended a meeting last Friday, to indicate which areas we regard as specific competence of the European Commission and which areas are part of a mixed agreement? What position was taken by Ireland at the negotiations on that last Friday? Moreover, we have trade worth €2.5 billion with Canada, so we already have a very healthy trading relationship. We also have a healthy trading relationship with the US. This is not a matter of speaking against trade but of examining a new instrument and ensuring that it is fully scrutinised. Will the Minister of State also address the rationale for not waiting until the legal concerns currently at issue have been addressed?

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.