THE controversial EU-Canada trade deal is to be referred to an Oireachtas committee in a bid to prevent a damaging split in the Green Party. The move further delays a Dáil vote on a motion to ratify CETA which would have seen a number of Green TDs, including prominent backbencher Neasa Hourigan, vote against their own party. “Scrutiny by an Oireachtas Committee is a necessary step in the process but not an end in itself. An Oireachtas Committee should provide a forum for the detailed examination of some of the issues we have with the CETA treaty, particularly the Investment Court System. Despite signing a letter supporting the deal in December, it is understood Green Party deputy leader Catherine Martin put pressure on ministerial colleagues to have the deal scrutinised by an Oireachtas Committee.

Source: Irish Independent February 10, 2021 12:24 UTC