Thread by @attractaub

An all time low for an Irish Government has been hit. By pure chance this afternoon I noticed what appeared to be a Government motion to ratify the deeply controversial EU Canada Trade Deal #CETA next Tuesday 15 Dec. Yes the one with the dreaded #ICS #ISDS clauses. Yes its true -

#CETA which so many #Greens had expressed opposition to... the one which leaves us massively exposed to claims from foreign investors .. the one we fear will create a regulatory chill making the Government even more reluctant to take effective #ClimateActions the one ..

Mairead McGuinness said could damage #Irishfarming and which we'd need to have a safeguard clause and consider a compo package for .. the day AFTER she voted for it in the EU Parliament agriland.ie/farming-news/c…
.. a nice killer blow now on top of the #Brexit

I am no fool - I know we need #trade - but not at any price.The Gov's motion to ratify will be under Art 29.5.2 of the Constitution because the agreement involves a charge upon the state.They admitted in PQs this is because of the exposure to #ICS claims by investors - so -

#Don't tell me this isn't a #WindfallForBigBusiness yet again out of your backpocket. We don't need this. Ireland has been able to attract a really high level of Foreign Direct Investment #FDI without conceding to such provisions - so why now? We also

..in Ireland stand massively exposed to #ICS claims given the level of foreign direct investment we have .. but at least when it dwarfs the #bankbailout we will have something to run another enquiry into and complain about #CETA #ICS and this Government's #SelloutOfSovereignty

& to ask WHO was responsible, who was complicit, who was asleep at the wheel? Why wasn't it obviously sinister when a Government rushes through under cover of #Covid #Christmass with no possibility for proper public debate & scrutiny such a massively controversial deal as #CETA?

We may have different views, but our democracy is based on trust and due process, and the role of the Oireachtas, on #transparency, on #publicdebate, the role of the media, #theruleoflaw. These are all being compromised by this Government over & over.The slide has been inexorable

I am appalled at this Government's move to ratify the deeply controversial #CETA deal in what I personally find to such an inappropriate way - effectively hidden away from scrutiny. It is shameful. It is UNFORGIVABLE. @EamonRyan @cathmartingreen @neasa_neasa @GraceOSllvn ...

regardless of differing views on the deal - this is no way to treat our democracy & the decision on the future interests of our country. Even if you wake up to the horror & withdraw - the #zombieclause Art 30.9 (2) leaves us exposed to claims for 20 years - Don't believe me ?

"Notwithstanding paragraph 1, in the event that this Agreement is terminated, the provisions of Chapter
Eight (Investment) shall continue to be effective for a period of 20 years after the date of termination of this Agreement in respect of investments made before that date" ☠️😱

Call them out please #PostponeTheCETAVote @RTENewsPaulC @DanielTMurray @codohertynews @KOSullivanIT @RightToKnowIE @NoonanJoe @EnvJusticeUCC @Env_Pillar @irishcongress @Trocaire
@AnTaisce
#StopCETA #DemocracyFirst #Transparency #Accountability #ClimateAction #RegulatoryChill