Green Party TD seeks urgent hearing of Ceta challenge

Ceta is designed to reduce tariffs and increase trade between the EU and Canada and provides for an investor protection system and an investor tribunal system

Patrick Costello, a Green Party TD for Dublin South Central, is concerned the investor court system provided for under CETA (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement) involves an unconstitutional transfer of sovereignty and judicial power. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Green Party TD Patrick Costello is seeking an urgent hearing of his High Court action concerning the constitutionality of parts of the Ceta EU-Canadian trade deal which provide for the establishment of “investor courts”.

High Court president Ms Justice Mary Irvine said today she hoped, despite very scarce judicial resources, to assign a judge to hear the matter in July and will update the parties later this week on arrangements for the hearing.