Cllr. Éilis Ryan

The Workers’ Party has called on those independent TDs currently contemplating doing a deal to return Enda Kenny and Fine Gael to government to make an issue of the  the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and demand an end to the secrecy surrounding the subject.

Workers’ Party Dublin Central Councillor Éilis Ryan said that the leaked documents released by Greenpeace over the weekend proved that TTIP poses a serious threat to democracy and to workers rights throughout the EU.  A number of the Independent TDs who are currently in negotiations with Fine Gael had already expressed serious concerns over TTIP and must now use their current leverage to demand a full debate and referendum if Ireland intends signing up to the deal.

“As the documents released by Greenpeace prove, TTIP has grave implications for the rights of consumers and workers in this country and throughout the EU, not to mention the threat it poses to jobs , and, through enforced privatisation, to working class people’s right to access basic public services”, said Cllr. Ryan.

“A number of the independent deputies currently negotiating with Fine Gael on government formation are on record as either opposing TTIP outright or having serious concerns about the deal.  Now is their chance to raise these issues and to demand a public debate and a referendum on this seriously contentious secret deal between the US and EU.  Once these talks are over, and assuming the independents sign up to a deal, then their opportunity to make TTIP an issue will have largely passed by. If they are genuinely concerned about the implications of TTIP for the Irish people they must act now”, said Cllr. Ryan.