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The controversial government vote on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (Ceta) has been postponed until the new year.
The free trade agreement between Canada and the European Union was to be ratified in the Dáil after a 55-minute debate on Tuesday.
The vote will now not continue until January as the green TDs and the majority of the opposition have raised concerns.
The Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister Eamon Ryan met Monday night to discuss a number of options, after which a spokesperson said: “The leaders met tonight and discussed Ceta’s motion and reiterated their support for ratification. However, they agreed to reschedule for January, as this will allow for a longer and more thoughtful debate. ”
A government source said the bill had been postponed since October to give Ryan time to get his members “on their side,” yet it appears the Green Party is still largely against the deal. If voting continues in January, Green Party members will be expected to vote for it.
There are concerns that the deal will have implications for Ireland’s public services and the actions needed to address the climate crisis.
If ratified, Ceta would allow corporations to sue the Irish state through an ‘Investor Court System’ for regulatory decisions that negatively impact their profits.
Activists have raised issues about climate change and the end of direct provision as two examples of the types of cases that could be taken.
The Green Party held a parliamentary meeting on Thursday in which several TDs said they were “surprised” by the announcement, which had been “approved” by the cabinet.
Internal messages from high-ranking members of the Green Party viewed by Detail that the MEPs of the Green Party in Brussels, the party president, the vice president, the national coordinator, the president of the policy council and half of the national executive, and many councilors have opposed the agreement.
It is understood that some within the party are reflecting on a special convention to address the issue.
TDs Neasa Hourigan and Patrick Costello expressed the opinion privately to Eamon Ryan and publicly on social media that they could not vote for the deal.
Patrick Costello told the : “The ratification of CETA was expressly rejected during the negotiations.
“This shouldn’t come back now at all, and it shouldn’t come back without a clear reason and without an internal agreement.
“There is no compelling reason to do this now – there are still numerous member states that have not ratified it, the German constitutional court is still examining it. Also, no compelling reason has been given as to why we have to rush this.” . or backsliding into an agreed position during negotiations. “
With the Dáil due to vote on the issue on Tuesday, he would sit at Leinster House, with a reduced number of 45 for the vote.
It is understood that Neasa Hourigan, Patrick Costello and Marc Ó Cathasaigh were on the list to vote for the party in the Dáil on Tuesday. Ó Cathasaigh has also raised concerns with colleagues about the vote.
Social Democrat TD Cian O’Callaghan previously wrote to Ceann Comhairle requesting that the motion be withdrawn “because there is not enough time for adequate debate and scrutiny.”
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Climate Justice, Sen. Lynn Boylan, criticized the government’s plan to sneak into ratification of the Ceta trade deal.
“Voting to ratify Ceta would be hugely detrimental to any hope of addressing the climate crisis in a fair way,” he said.
“Only 100 companies are responsible for 71% of emissions. Governments must challenge the power of corporations to combat the climate crisis. This trade agreement would get in the way of that. “
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