by Alan Jacques
LIMERICK councillor Maurice Quinlivan joined a delegation to Brussels last week to discuss the impact of an EU/ US trade deal on Ireland.
Over two days the delegation met with a number of key officials and experts. During his visit, Cllr Quinlivan attended a series of meetings outlining the potential impact of Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) on the Environment, Public Health, jobs and growth and on agriculture.
The Irish delegates also had the opportunity to meet with officials from the Directorate Generals in trade and agriculture to hear details of the proposed agreement and outline a number of their concerns about the TTIP.
“It will have huge consequences for Ireland and it is vitally important that we ensure that the interests and concerns of Ireland are brought to the table and addressed before the talks finish,” Quinlivan commented.
The Sinn Féin leader on Limerick City and County Council, said that his party, has in particular, huge concerns of the impact this deal could have on the environment, on worker’s rights and food safety.
Cllr Quinlivan claims the TTIP will cost dearly in terms of sovereignty, worker’s rights and decent regulation in multiple areas including health and farming. He feels big question marks remain around the inclusion of public services including public procurement; state owned enterprises and exactly what services are included in the negotiations.
“It is my firm view that where opportunity exists with regards logical and practical work to make transatlantic trade more accessible and there are clear evidence based benefits to Ireland on such specific areas of trade these opportunities should be pursued.
“However, this is not what TTIP seeks to achieve. It will fundamentally undermine sovereignty, public services, hard won workers’ rights and regulations. At its core this is a deeply dishonest and secretive agreement that has been drafted in the interest of big business alone,” he claimed.
