Fine Gael corporate puppets betray workers

Sinn Féin MEP Liadh Ní Riada has accused Fine Gael of endangering Irish workers and industries after they supported CETA in the EU parliament today.

The Ireland South MEP was speaking after the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the EU and Canada was passed in Europe.

While the majority of Irish MEPs voted against the deal, Fine Gael enthusiastically supported it.

“True to their nature, Fine Gael have dismissed the very real concerns of Irish workers, businesses, farmers and fishermen to act as corporate shills,” she said.

“Let there be no doubt, CETA will have huge implications for Irish workers, businesses, consumers and farmers. It is bad for democracy and will undermine the Irish judicial system.

“It threatens regulations that protect our environment, food production and access to affordable medicines as well as encouraging privatisation wherever possible, including in our healthcare, energy, water and transport sectors.

“It will further distort trade and wealth in favour of larger multinational corporations at the expense of indigenous business.

“Small and Medium Enterprises right across Europe will be disadvantaged by CETA.

“This is a corporate deal that will allow companies to sue national governments if they introduce laws that damage their profits, it is utter madness and an assault on Irish sovereignty.

“Given the regime change in the US CETA is also being used by American companies, 80% of which have branches in Canada, to introduce TTIP, another dodgy corporate deal, by the back door.

“This is the deal that Fine Gael has not only helped pass in the EU Parliament but is enthusiastically cheer leading for. Indeed, appallingly, they have released a statement boasting of their role in the CETA deal.

“Sinn Féin is very much in favour of trade but not at any cost and certainly not to the detriment of our workers, economy, healthcare service and judicial system.

“Today, Fine Gael expressed their very clear allegiances to big business and their outright contempt for the Irish people who have demanded a fair, progressive EU trade agenda.

“However, the battle is not over. CETA must now come before the Dail where Sinn Féin will oppose it.

“We will be engaging with farmers, trade unions, environmental groups and small and medium sized businesses to explain what this deal means for them and I would urge all Irish people to read up on this deal, find out for themselves what the horrendous impacts of it will be and urge your local TDs to reject this toxic deal.”