Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I look forward to our debate with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and I shall not talk about the subject now.

I echo the comments of concern expressed by Senator Boyhan about the return of funding that was provided to assist with migration projects. I call for a debate on how Ireland intersects with European migration policy, particularly the EU migration compacts that are being debated in committee. We should discuss the migration compacts in the Seanad because many questions need to be asked about EU policy, how we engage with it in respect of migration and the responsible role that we should play.

Today, the European Parliament will vote on the provisional application of the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement. As the Leader and other Senators will recall, we passed a motion of concern about the matter. I regret that the European Parliament has previously chosen not to vote to use the appropriate checks and balances. For example, checking the investor court mechanisms against the European Court of Justice and not to debate this specific issue. I plead with the Leader and his party colleagues to carefully reconsider their decision because they plan to support the provisional application. I would like to focus on what the outcome may be. If the European Parliament votes for the provisional application of the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement then I seek clarity given the clearly expressed concern of the House about this issue. What does the Government plan to do in the interim between provisional application and full ratification? Will the Government seek an investor court system?

I represent these Houses on the Council of Europe. Recently the Council of Europe held a plenary session comprising parliamentarians from across Europe. At the meeting there was large support for two motions from the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights and the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development. They called for a re-examination of the provisions of the investor court system to ensure its compatibility with the European Court of Human Rights. There was also a call to re-examine components such as the payment for future loss of profit, which was a specific concern that was expressed right across the chamber.

If the Government does not offer support then at least will it ensure it does not block a review of the investor court system? Will the Government facilitate challenges at the legislative level in the European Court of Justice to the investor court system? I refer to the period between provisional application and full ratification.

I know there are Senators who are on the Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. Recently I attended one of its meetings. On that occasion we heard of the disgraceful lack of proper engagement about exemptions and exclusions. We also heard that there was no parliamentary debate or even consultation at committee level on what Ireland chose to exclude from its concerns about the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement. Will we ensure that such negligence does not continue? I ask the Leader to ensure that the House receives a speedy and timebound proofing of the legislative programme and a report to this House on the potential impact of the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement on the legislative programme.