Colette Kelleher (Independent) | Oireachtas source

CETA is unlike any trade agreement that we have signed before and must be considered cautiously and carefully. The so-called negative list in CETA, that my colleagues have mentioned, means that all public sector areas are included in the agreement unless explicitly ruled out by the Government at the start of negotiations - a first for an EU trade agreement.

Ireland has added very few areas to the negative or excluded list. Health care, with the exception of nursing homes, for example, was not excluded and, therefore, health care will be subject to the CETA rules. My understanding is that these rules will allow companies to sue governments for compensation in private arbitration when laws interfere with their profits. This is a matter of huge concern to me.

This morning, I spoke at the Oireachtas Committee on the Future of Healthcare. I called for transformative investment in homecare with robust regulation, a legal entitlement to guarantee access and proper workforce planning. I have a very real concern that the provisional application of CETA could impinge on this State's ability to regulate homecare that is currently unregulated and, therefore, affects the most vulnerable people and people going into their home. The provisional application of CETA could impinge on our State's ability to regulate homecare. As such, regulation or transformation will undoubtedly impact on the profits of international private providers already operating in the market. I call on Senators from all sides of the House to support the motion.