Protestors picket EU trade meeting

Anti-globalisation protestors have held a protest in Dublin to coincide with a meeting of the EU’s highly secretive Article 133 Committee.

The committee, which met in Dublin Castle, is empowered with negotiating trade agreements between the EU and other organisations.

However, its workings are a closely-guarded secret.

Twenty-three TDs signed a petition demanding the publication of the minutes of its meetings and to say exactly what the EU is offering in ongoing free trade negotiations.

The protestors are particularly concerned about the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), which they say could lead to the privatisation of key public services.