Concern at transatlantic trade agreement

With regard to Mrs U Forinton’s letter (Irish Examiner, Oct 9), the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership Agreement, which is being negotiated in Brussels, is of grave concern to me and to many of my constituents.

Ireland’s four Sinn Féin MEPs have voiced their opposition to this non-transparent deal and negotiation process. As you know Sinn Féin opposed the Lisbon Treaty in the 2009 referendum. Lisbon signed away the right of member states to veto this type of agreement. The European Parliament, of which I am a member, is to ratify but cannot amend the text once it has been approved by the Council of Ministers.

We welcome growth in the economy, but the figures presented by TTIP enthusiasts are overblown. We are opposed to talks shrouded in secrecy and want the government to ensure stipulations such as Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) threats to employment and farming are removed from the negotiations.

Liadh Ní Riada MEP

20 Bóthar an Choimín

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