Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan has said that fully ratifying the CETA trade deal makes no sense for Ireland, and will serve only to boost the profits of big businesses.
Speaking after reports that the government was moving to fully ratify the deal, the Dublin MEP said:
“I’m extremely concerned at reports that the government wants to move to fully ratify the CETA deal.
“Most of this deal is already ratified, granting us free trade with Canada.
“The one part that isn’t operating are private investor courts. These are courts that ordinary people cannot access, they are only available to big businesses.
“These courts let big businesses sue states if they take any action that harms the profits of these businesses.
“This means that even vulture funds could sue Ireland if we tried to change the current rental laws here.
“Why are Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael so desperate to give foreign businesses the power to sue Ireland?
“Fully ratifying this deal will not boost trade. This will just line the pockets of big companies who are already raking in billions in profits.
“This deal should not be fully ratified, it makes no sense for the Irish government to do this.”
