The Green Party TD who lodged a High Court challenge against the Government says there is legal opinion that the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (Ceta) is unconstitutional. Dublin South Central representative Patrick Costello lodged the proceedings on Monday over whether a referendum would be needed on the controversial trade deal. "It is of fundamental importance that the members of the Dáil, myself included, who would vote on whether to ratify Ceta know that our votes are constitutional." "The treaty will be going to Oireachtas Committees for scrutiny on the question of should we ratify Ceta and what are the consequences of that. The Ceta deal has been a bone of contention within the Green Party for months, with TDs Neasa Hourigan and Mr Costello steadfast that they would not be voting for the deal, against which the Green Party had previously campaigned.

Source: Irish Examiner March 03, 2021 06:30 UTC