Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership

Tuesday, 23 June 2015

Ceisteanna (309)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

309. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide further details on the representations his Department has received on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, which numbered 586 at the time of his previous reply; if he will provide a list of the number of meetings that have taken place between his Department and all non-governmental organisations or industry groups; if he will indicate whether the large number of representations received from private citizens reflected widespread support for the partnership, or concerns and opposition to it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24977/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

As I noted in my previous response to the Deputy on this issue, as of 9th June my Department’s records indicate receipt of 586 representations on Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) since the negotiations began in 2013. Of the 566 that I indicated were from private citizens, 514 of these, received between January and February this year, focused on a single issue, namely, investment protection and investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) in TTIP.

It is important to remember that the negotiating mandate in respect of a Free Trade deal between the EU and US makes it clear that the inclusion of investment protection and ISDS will depend on EU interests being met and on the final balance of the Agreement. The mandate states that the objectives of any investment protection provisions would be without prejudice to the right of EU and the member states to adopt and enforce measures necessary to pursue legitimate public policy objectives such as social, environmental, security, stability of the financial system, public health and safety in a non-discriminatory manner.

The details available on meetings were set out in my previous response.