Irish MEPs must stand up for Irish Interests at key TTIP vote this week

Sinn Féin MEP for the Midlands North West Matt Carthy has today called on Irish MEPs to take a stand and vote against the controversial Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism when the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership report comes before the European Plenary in Strasbourg this Wednesday.

Carthy said:

“The Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism allows private corporations and investors to sue the Governments of member states for potential loss of revenue.

“It is the means by which Canada has been sued for its moratorium on Fracking and it is the means by which Australia has been sued for its public health measures on smoking.

“In the 45 cases taken under this type of mechanism to date, almost $5 billion of public funds have been paid out to Investors.

“Over 97% of respondents to the largest ever online consultation process held by the European Commission stated their complete opposition to its inclusion in TTIP

“The French and the Dutch Parliaments have also passed resolutions in opposition to the ISDS mechanism and there is huge opposition to it among civil society organisations, NGOs and trade unions across the EU.

“Meanwhile the Irish Government has categorically failed to stand up for the interests of Ireland in any sense.

“The Minister has already indicated his support for the ISDS mechanism without recourse to the Oireachtas or to the people who elected him into office.

“Sinn Féin has proposed an amendment which will remove the ISDS mechanism from the TTIP agreement and I am calling on Irish MEPs to clearly stand with the people and ensure that this mechanism is defeated.”

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