STATEMENT: ‘Say No To Investor Courts!’ – Green TDs Costello & Hourigan host NGO and Civic Society roundtable meeting on CETA.

Patrick Costello TD for Dublin South Central and Neasa Hourigan TD for Dublin Central today hosted a roundtable discussion in Leinster House of NGOs and Civic Society groups looking to stop damaging investor courts from being introduced into the state via the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA). The meeting took place following Costello’s landmark Supreme Court ruling on the constitutional compatibility of CETA.

Deputy Costello began, “My recent victory in the Supreme Court was a vindication of our opposition to CETA, in particular Investor Courts, and the unsanctioned transfer of sovereignty. The ruling was not the end of this journey, we have won the battle, but the war is still to be fought.”

He continued, “Today’s meeting discussed collaboration between like-minded advocacy groups that have campaigned against CETA, in particular Investor Courts. These damaging courts have no place in our state. They limit governments in passing progressive legislation in areas such as climate, housing, health and worker’s rights. We have a number of action points arising from our discussion. They will form part of the wider information campaign to inform the public of the dangers of investor courts. It is vital we ensure these threatening courts aren’t established in our state.”

Deputy Hourigan commented, “I welcome Patrick’s important victory in the courts. ISDS clauses in trade agreements place the welfare of corporations ahead of the welfare of our people.”

She concluded, “Today’s discussion was extremely worthwhile. Only through broad based collaboration with civil society can we ensure that this issue is appropriately addressed in the Oireachtas.”

Both Deputies confirmed that they would vote against any legislation that allowed for the implementation of Investor Courts.

ENDS