A chara, – Ian Talbot of Chambers Ireland refers (November 1st) to the "promise of a new era of growth and prosperity for the citizens of the EU and the US" and the "potential increase in GDP in Ireland" as a result of the negotiations on the Trans Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).
The two words “promise” and “potential” are pertinent. I recall that it was the “promise” of jobs and investment that eventually convinced the Irish people to sign up for the Lisbon Treaty, arguably against their instincts and better judgement. We are still waiting for those jobs. However, on the same date that Mr Talbot’s letter was published in your paper, Ireland was feeling the effects of that decision as our voting weight in the EU was reduced as a result of our acceptance of the Lisbon Treaty, the same treaty in which we have also lost our right of veto in significant areas such as international trade.
I do agree with Mr Talbot’s assertion that TTIP does provide “potential” benefit for Ireland. A trade negotiation on this level, of course, has the potential to benefit both the EU and the US. The reality is, however, that there are also many potential drawbacks for areas such as agriculture, environment, workers’ rights and employment, which have been largely ignored by our Government and not explored in any great detail.
One of the most worrying aspects of the negotiations to date has been the secrecy in which they have been shrouded. The public only became aware of the mandate for the negotiations as a result of a leaked document. Indeed, the reference Mr Talbot made to the potential increase in GDP for Ireland is contained in a report commissioned by the Government on the economic assessment of TTIP on Ireland which, to date, has not been made public, although it appears that selective findings have been publicised. The reality is that we simply do not know what the consequences of this agreement will be.
What we do know, and has been generally accepted by all commentators on these talks, including the European Commission, is that TTIP will result in the “prolonged and substantial dislocation of EU workers”, with some suggestions of up to a million across the EU. What we also know is that, as it currently stands TTIP will result in the establishment of an external Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism, which operates external to the courts system and rule of law and gives investors the right to take legal action against member states for loss of revenue. This is the same mechanism by which tobacco giants are currently suing Australia over public health measures against smoking.
I agree with Mr Talbot that there does need to be a public debate on TTIP and what it means for Ireland, a debate in which all of our citizens participate fully with all of the relevant information, lest we are to sleepwalk, heads full of “promises” and “potential”, into an agreement which is not in our best interests and will have long-lasting consequences. – Is mise,
MATT CARTHY, MEP
Carraig Mhachaire Rois,
Co Mhuineachain.