Skip to content
Support Us

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Associated Press

We believe fears about the TTIP are unfounded – we need to break down barriers to business

Much of the focus about the trade deal has been on big business, but little attention has been paid to SMEs and how they would benefit from it.

WHAT IS TTIP?

There has been a lot of discussion in recent months about what the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is and what it means for Ireland.

TTIP is a free-trade agreement currently being negotiated between the EU and the US. The agreement has three main strands: improved market access, improved regulatory coherence and improved co-operation when it comes to setting international standards. Should the trade negotiations be successfully concluded, the European economy is predicted to grow by about €119 billion per year.

TTIP represents an unprecedented opportunity for two of the world’s largest economies to cooperate in order to remove barriers to trade and commerce, increase growth, and create jobs across two continents. A transatlantic trade agreement will cut unnecessary red tape and bureaucracy, reduce customs duties, and lower the costs of trade for businesses. This will be of particular benefit to SMEs who often struggle with the burden of the customs bureaucracy and cost of trading internationally.

Breaking down barriers to trade

The core aim of the trade deal, and one strongly supported by the business community, will be to reduce unnecessary costs and delays associated with trading, while maintaining the highest standards of health, safety, and environmental protection regulation.

Although tariffs for European companies exporting to the US are relatively low, non-tariff barriers remain a significant obstacle, particularly for small businesses. SMEs face a range of trade barriers including unnecessarily complex regulations, licensing processes, product labelling requirements and inspection procedures.

As an example, Ireland is home to a large number of pharmaceutical and medical devices companies. Currently, the EU and the US use different criteria when it comes to factory inspections at pharmaceutical and medical devices firms. Neither territory recognises each other’s inspections, meaning any Irish firm wanting to export to the US has to go through an expensive inspection process twice. A trade deal between the EU and US would aim to eradicate these duplicate procedures, making trade more cost and time efficient.

Benefits for Ireland

TTIP is promised to be huge opportunity for Ireland. A report commissioned by the Department for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation has projected that given the strong existing relationship between the Irish and US markets, Ireland is set to benefit by more than double the European average.

The main sectors predicted to benefit include; pharmaceuticals and chemicals, manufacturing industries, agri-food (notably dairy and processed food) and services. The trade deal is predicted to increase Ireland’s GDP by 1.1%, which would lead to more jobs and an increase in wages.

The trade agreement is also predicted to go a long way to reducing the cost of exporting to Irish businesses and open up US markets to a new cohort of Irish exporters.

SMEs and trade

To date, much of the conversation has focused on how big business will be the only winner if a trade deal is agreed. Little attention has been paid to SMEs and how they will benefit from these negotiations.

Although tariffs are generally low, Irish exporters still pay in excess of $300 million per year in tariffs to the US Treasury. TTIP is expected to provide substantial reductions in tariff barriers, and this will increase trade in both directions. This move should have a particularly positive impact on SMEs, where even low tariffs are a barrier to trade.

In addition, regulatory divergence, such as complex certification procedures and duplicate standards, can be particularly burdensome to smaller firms. Large firms are able to cover the high fixed costs of dealing with regulatory complexities by exporting large volumes. For smaller firms, the regulatory burdens can prevent smaller Irish exporters from expanding into new markets. The agreement will lower fixed exporting costs and eradicate unnecessary administrative red tape, meaning Irish SMEs should feel a significant benefit.

Investment protection

Lastly, one of the more controversial aspects of the trade deal so far has been the proposed inclusion of an Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism. Opponents of the trade deal have suggested that the inclusion of an ISDS clause will result in large multinationals blocking governments from making decisions in the public interest should there be a risk to an investor’s profits. This is simply not the case.

An ISDS clause does not give corporations the power to change public policy. Every agreement, whether it is a contract or a trade treaty, requires a mechanism to ensure that the terms of the agreement can be enforced. Very simply, ISDS ensures that where a right is given, a remedy is provided. It permits foreign investors to hold states accountable to commitments that were made in their treaties.

Conversely, ISDS also gives states the right to defend and uphold decisions they have made in the public interest. In addition, a lesser known fact, published by the OECD, is that investment protection has to a large degree been sought by SMEs with large multinationals representing only about 8% of the total caseload.

We have the right to question – but also to investigate the facts

Increased coherence and co-operation between the two largest markets in the world presents an enormous economic opportunity for Ireland, with benefits for consumers and businesses alike.

It is right and proper that there is an open and informed public debate about the merits, opportunities and even the potential risks of TTIP. As the negotiations continue, we do have a right to question, but we should not have the right to say no at the outset.

There is an obligation on all of us to investigate the facts. With the tenth round of talks scheduled to take place in Brussels next month, it is vital that people engage with the debate.

Mark O’Mahoney, Director of Policy and Communications, Chambers Ireland.

Corporations could start suing governments for ‘barriers’ to profit – will you accept this?

Left-wing campaigners are derailing a free-trade deal with the US for ‘political reasons’

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
95 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Meagher
    Favourite Dave Meagher
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 8:08 AM

    Soft landings ,not a penny more and vote lisbon for jobs, pigs fly and elvis was abducted by Aliens .

    507
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Waddler Mooney
    Favourite Waddler Mooney
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 11:11 AM

    The TTIP is primarily a Trojan horse designed to make us swallow the poison pill of Investor State Dispute Settlement buried in the agreement. ISDS is a mechanism to enforce corporate dominance over sovereign nations.

    For example the tobacco giant Phillip Morris (annual revenue of $80 billion) is currently suing Uruguay (GDP $53 billion) for daring to increase the size of their health warning on cigarette packets.

    Here’s one of the judges who sits on the ISDS kangaroo courts:
    “When I wake up at night and think about arbitration, it never ceases to amaze me that sovereign states have agreed to investment arbitration at all … Three private individuals are entrusted with the power to review, without any restriction or appeal procedure, all actions of the government, all decisions of the courts, and all laws and regulations emanating from parliament.”

    http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/04/us-trade-deal-full-frontal-assault-on-democracy

    The Irish state whether governed by FF or FG has always largely served the interests of domestic and international capital over those of the citizens. In this context, it’s no surprise that the current FG/Labour coalition are enthusiastic cheerleaders for TTIP and are joined in the chorus of approval by vested interests such as Chambers Ireland.

    241
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bobby Phelan
    Favourite Bobby Phelan
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 12:16 PM

    Well lets have a tv debate on vb ming said he would do it but fg are afraid to talk about it. come on mark o mahoney organise it and we c how great it is for Ireland.I can tell u mark the only people to profit from ttip is big business the ordinary joe will get f^ck all.Cheap labour and corporate control our country is corrupt to the core.https://vimeo.com/108948150 ff fg labour traitors are not to be trusted.

    161
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rory J Leonard
    Favourite Rory J Leonard
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 6:41 PM

    Global Corporate behemoths haven’t exactly excelled over the years in conducting their affairs in a manner that not only benefits their shareholders but also society in general.

    Recall how international banking fuc*ked up global economies during the last decade, all because Governments and Banking Regulators “lifted the tail” and allowed themselves be screwed over and over by such beasts. And us little people were lumbered with the tab from the catastrophic fallout.

    Waddlers example involving Philip Morris Inc provides further evidence that Governments must stand up and fight for what’s right, fair and healthy for its citizens.

    No Corporate entity should be allowed sue a State for losses resulting from any legislation introduced for the good of Society.

    Irish Government, no more toadying to Big Business. Invite them in,for sure, but on reasonable sustainable terms where everyone wins, not just the shareholders. Otherwise the world will become one giant cesspit with the 1% controlling all the wealth.

    41
    EM
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute EM
    Favourite EM
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 8:14 AM

    Any time justice is decided in secret, there’s a threat to the democracy of a nation and the freedom of it’s citizens.

    492
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anne de Croix
    Favourite Anne de Croix
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 10:49 AM
    149
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anne de Croix
    Favourite Anne de Croix
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 10:51 AM

    Oh sorry. that was about Anglo and Nama, this is the one I was looking for…….

    http://ttip2015.eu/blog-detail/blog/BUSINESSEUROPE%20ISDS.html

    “This blatant business lobbying reveals perhaps why MEPs are lowering their guard against a treaty that is a serious threat to our democracy, workers’ rights and our environmental standards. This email demonstrates clearly that TTIP has become a corporate charter and big business are pressuring MEPs to ride roughshod over our hard-fought-for social and environmental standards on the premise that such standards are a barrier to business. We will see in next week’s vote whether MEPs – and the socialists in particular – vote according to the values they profess to hold or whether they cave in to the business lobby.”

    184
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute up3bs9LF
    Favourite up3bs9LF
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 5:54 PM

    Two very good articles, I hope others read them.

    57
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Andrea Brown
    Favourite Andrea Brown
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 6:59 PM

    If you don’t want to be subject to a secret court that can over rule the Constitution of Ireland and the Dail, then sign this petition to the European Parliament to have TTIP discussed, debated and stopped in the EU parliament.
    https://stop-ttip.org/

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Sands
    Favourite Michael Sands
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 11:45 PM

    Mark O’Mahoney, Director of Policy and Communications, Chambers Ireland.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bigus Diccus
    Favourite Bigus Diccus
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 8:05 AM

    It’ll trickle down will it, Mark?

    479
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick Swan
    Favourite Patrick Swan
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 9:02 AM

    I can feel it trickling down my back already.

    325
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sternn
    Favourite Sternn
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 10:16 AM

    Don’t worry, Mark says thats just rain.

    204
    See 7 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Redacticus
    Favourite Redacticus
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 10:27 AM

    Merely another unforseen leak in the debt ceiling!

    155
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute An Ciarraioch
    Favourite An Ciarraioch
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 5:43 PM

    Mark O’Mahoney – Author – Haven’t we had the greatest examples of Big Business Bullying and Corruption in this Country over the past eight years already ?

    Why would we need any more of it bestowed on us by USA & EUROPE ?

    If Denis O’Brien is an example of it already in this little Country – well I don’t think that it’s for us Irish Citizens, already reeling from Exploitation !!!

    172
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute thejynxeffect
    Favourite thejynxeffect
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 5:45 PM

    How could Mark make such wild exaggerated claims that this will benefit us? We havn’t even been allowed to read the feckin thing and either has he. This is about control and takeover. Resist this “free trade agreement” at all costs.

    172
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Boganity
    Favourite Boganity
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 10:35 PM

    In the U.S. social protection is seen as a barrier to trade so we’d be in breach of the agreement the minute it was signed

    49
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daffy the Bear
    Favourite Daffy the Bear
    Report
    Jun 12th 2015, 1:01 AM

    And so begins the post-democratic era…

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eamon Mac Gowan
    Favourite Eamon Mac Gowan
    Report
    Jun 12th 2015, 4:05 PM

    Yeah, they’re peeing on us.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mary Kavanagh
    Favourite Mary Kavanagh
    Report
    Jun 13th 2015, 2:34 AM

    And when we flush the pee down the sewer they’ll charge us waste water for the privilege.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Karl Phelan
    Favourite Karl Phelan
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 8:08 AM

    The day that a corporation can hold a state, and thus the will of its people, to account for changing a law that infringes on a previously established contract or treaty is the day we may aswell tighten our already present but still slightly loose handcuffs.

    474
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Les Reed
    Favourite Les Reed
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 9:15 AM

    “There has been a lot of discussion in recent months about what the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is and what it means for Ireland.” Starting your article with a gross exaggeration is a poor start to reassuring us of TTIP’s benefits. I don’t recall Enda Kenny discussing it with the Irish electorate even though he has cheer led for TTIP with Obama at the White House on Patrick’s Day and with Merkel in Berlin last year. Not one discussion on it in the Oireachtas, in fact, despite the potential impact on the quality of Irish food production.

    324
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Watcher-on-the-Wall
    Favourite Watcher-on-the-Wall
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 10:00 AM

    I’m actually amazed at the stance taken by the “Director of Policy and Communications, Chambers Ireland” on this. While making the US market more easily accessible is an obvious benefit to Irish industry, I find it astounding that this article completely ignores the threat posed by allowing food and medicines (in particular) that may be produced under less stringent regulations (and therefore cheaper) to enter the Irish market to compete with Irish-produced goods. This situation would be compounded by the ISDS mechanism, since legislation requiring that GM or hormone-enhanced foods be labelled as such could be seen as a ‘barrier to profit’ and therefore challenged. The concept behind TTIP is probably a good idea, but as it currently stands, it’s a very dangerous prospect that could actually wipe out swathes of our SME sector.

    242
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Spammer
    Favourite Spammer
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 6:29 PM

    All this for 1.1% GDP growth? If the Irish economy grew by 4.5% last year this would equate to approx. two and a half month’s GDP growth. I’d much prefer to delay gratification for a few months rather than let this monstrosity of a treaty come into force.

    84
    See 5 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Spammer
    Favourite Spammer
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 6:32 PM

    *three and a half months….

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Andrea Brown
    Favourite Andrea Brown
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 6:56 PM

    If you don’t want a secret court that can over rule the Dail and constitution, sign this petition to stop TTIP in the European Parliament.
    https://stop-ttip.org/

    60
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alien8
    Favourite Alien8
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 6:58 PM

    I would not worry about this source. Unlike other industry groups that ask their members what their opinion is on policies, Chambers Ireland use the mandatory membership of chamber of commerce to put forward “policy directors”, who are essentially political science graduates who are trying to use these organisations lack of govt lobbyists to make a platform for their own political careers. Looking through the thousands of policy directors throughout the EU, there is not one minute of SME or business experience between them.

    Notwithstanding this lack of credibility, not one of the aspects of TTIP that are mentioned ad nauseum for the last year have been addressed… I.e. Closed corporate arbitration and exposure of national governments to restrict policy change to private interests, due to fear of being sued by EU level parliaments.

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Sands
    Favourite Michael Sands
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 11:53 PM
    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Hammond
    Favourite Dave Hammond
    Report
    Jun 12th 2015, 8:48 PM

    Can Martin perhaps reply to some concerns with clarity around a few of the areas that may be of concern

    1. Floridas Minimum wage is equivalent of Euro 7.15 per hour – is there any prospect or provision funder TTIP or US companies to be able to set up here and pay what they see as their minimum wage ??

    2. Can major US coprs like Walmart decide to open here and apply their rates and operating procedures without incuring what they see as the more expensive european costs associated with doing business here ? Surely if they play the TTIP card they will only force more SMES particularly in retail out of business here (like they have done in the USA already )

    3. Can US companies set up and ignore the local and european enviromental protections / rules and then seek protection for prosecution if they for example pollute our rivers under TTIP as has been suggested ??

    4, your example of pharma companies having to complete two sets of inspections suggests they could lower costs and benefit consumers – but currently drugs that are already manufactured here by big pharma are extremenly expensive for the HSE etc and the track record for them gougin prices in the Irish market has been a scandal – why should we believe they will reduce the costs here just because they get lower costs in the US inspections – they will say in future that only helped reduce the costs for their exports and help overseas profits but they have a poor track record without TTIP already – we were worles leading local manufacturer of Viagra in ireland but the costs were not lower here than anythwere else in the world

    Some clarity about the potential downsides would add balance to your piece

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Setrakian
    Favourite Setrakian
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 8:13 AM

    So many questions & legitimate concerns are being ignored by the powers that be on both sides that investigating the facts are about as possible as finding the Ark ! One major concern is global corporate interests being allowed to sue govts behind closed doors – what could possibly be wrong with that? Ttip- no thank you.

    324
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute thejynxeffect
    Favourite thejynxeffect
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 5:48 PM

    I found an Ark! It was full of bullshit

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Bacon
    Favourite Mick Bacon
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 8:14 AM

    Publish the written text of the ISDS mechanism and the time frame for the supposed 1.1% growth in GDP.

    228
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Al Ca
    Favourite Al Ca
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 8:36 AM

    The very best estimates for growth from the EU commission itself is 0.5% by 2027, that’s over 12 years.
    So…the fans of TTIP are telling porkies to try push it over the line.

    233
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Bacon
    Favourite Mick Bacon
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 8:53 AM

    Luke Ming Flanagan is our only MEP actually asking questions of this TTIP , he made an idiot out of Richard Bruton at a breakfast meeting when he confronted him with the same facts .

    232
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Periguin
    Favourite Periguin
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 10:56 AM

    and Sean Lelly, whose reply to questions about TTIP was “ahh…umm?”.Feckless fool.

    116
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Periguin
    Favourite Periguin
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 10:57 AM

    *Kelly

    55
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brendan McGill
    Favourite Brendan McGill
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 8:35 PM

    Matt Carthy and Lynn Boylan are asking questions and drawing attention to it also.. I was very disappointed to see Marian Harkin voted yes to postponing the debate on TTIP in the EU Parliament yesterday.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Al Ca
    Favourite Al Ca
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 8:31 AM

    “An ISDS clause does not give corporations the power to change public policy.”

    No…but it will have a chilling effect on changing policy or make it ineffective…
    We already have our own court system that has been working out such issues for companies we do not need a system outside our own.
    We’ve had multinationals in Ireland without need for an ISDS.
    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dave-johnson/corporate-courts—-a-big_b_5826490.html

    [This mechanism has allowed for countless cases in which multinationals are given more power than citizens -- recently, a French transportation company brought an ISDS case against Egypt for raising the minimum wage and a Swedish corporation is using ISDS to sue Germany over its decision to phase out nuclear power. Given the staggering amounts that are sometimes at issue, like a $1.7 billion (that's billion with a B) award plus more than half a billion in interest that Ecuador must pay to Occidental Petroleum Corp. and the more than $1.6 billion that Poland paid the Dutch company Eureko (now known as Achmea) to settle an ISDS case, it's impossible to argue that these cases -- or even the threat of these cases -- do not have a chilling effect on public decision making.]

    TTIP is a Trojan Horse carrying in it’s belly profit protection at the cost to the taxpayer and not the investor.

    192
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Doyle
    Favourite Dave Doyle
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 10:48 AM

    Al Ca, we have already had a taste of ISDS and what it means. The bank bailouts, the being made to pay bondholders, and the resultant austerity measures forced on us, is a prime example of ISDS at work. The government said they had no choice but to pay. They had no mandate to pay it, but democracy means nothing when ISDS does its work.

    89
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Sands
    Favourite Michael Sands
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 11:46 PM
    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Denise Friary
    Favourite Denise Friary
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 8:22 AM

    The rich get richer and the poor get poorer that economics in capitalism and when Kenny meets Dennis the menace he kisses him on both cheeks then Dennis pulls his trousers up.

    171
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fifty Shades of Sé
    Favourite Fifty Shades of Sé
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 8:33 AM

    That Corporate Shill in the Picture looks like something from a Story in The Onion about your call is important to a corporation.

    141
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Redacticus
    Favourite Redacticus
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 10:33 AM

    Just some errand-boy for IBEC/D’ISME doing a JobbyBridge internship in shit-hawkery!!

    79
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sternn
    Favourite Sternn
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 10:24 AM

    Right now our government is being sued by cigarette manufactures because they are being ‘forced’ to put warnings and pictures on cigarette and tobacco sachets. If TTIP passes, this would not have even been a case as it would have been settled before it started – the Irish governments law which puts warning labels and photos on tobacco products reduces tobacco sales, therefore the Irish government would not be able to do so as it would infringe on the tobacco companies right to sell a product in a free market.

    That is just one example. TTIP basically gives corporations more power than the government and any legislation in regards to a companies behvaiour or the products it sells cannot inferfere with the companies bottom line.

    Expect alcohol ads back on telly and all over every sporting event, as that will of course be the next thing corporations move forward with if this passes, along with forcing Ireland to use GMOs, transfats, or anything else the corporations from other countries want to sell here which is currently banned or regulated. TTIP says no government can restrict a company or its sales, which basically means not only will Ireland have to obey EU laws, we also will be subjected to the will of corporations which will have even more power than the EU.

    I wonder what it would mean for US gun manufactures who want to sell guns here? As like tobacco and alcohol TTIP is pretty clear about not letting countries stop selling items based on local laws.

    129
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Johnston
    Favourite Sean Johnston
    Report
    Jun 12th 2015, 8:25 AM

    TTIP even without ISDS will require negotiations for common regulations and restrictions between Europe and the U.S. Given that our regulation standards are far higher than those of the U.S., it will mean either a tightening of theirs or the loosening of ours. Which is most likely do you think? I wouldn’t be surprised if they are getting everyone to focus on ISDS, just to remove it before the agreement is set in stone. The majority of people will see the removal of ISDS as a win and opposition will back down, leaving them free to negotiate our regulations out of existence.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pius Flynn
    Favourite Pius Flynn
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 9:12 AM

    If you want the best info on this follow Luke Ming on Facebook he’s the only Irish politician that is keeping the people he represents informed.

    128
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Les Reed
    Favourite Les Reed
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 9:22 AM
    69
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute B-Egan
    Favourite B-Egan
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 10:04 AM

    All Irish MEP’s are against this except for Fine Gael.

    94
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Redacticus
    Favourite Redacticus
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 10:38 AM

    BlueCorp…..pimping out ‘d’besht little country’ to have d’business done to yee…..sideways!!

    63
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brendan McGill
    Favourite Brendan McGill
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 8:38 PM

    Matt Carthy and Lynn Boylan are also getting the message out there and raising questions on the issues!

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute aido m
    Favourite aido m
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 9:11 AM

    The picture says it all .just keep smiling eventually they’ll believe us

    110
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute VinHeffer89
    Favourite VinHeffer89
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 9:14 AM

    Snake oil salesman..

    104
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick Swan
    Favourite Patrick Swan
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 9:32 AM

    TTIP break down the “barriers to business’ aka regulation and oversight. Global Business’s have little enough of a check by soverign governments as it is. We dont need another 119 billion for the European economy in the short term if it will cost us another 1.4 Trillion in the next collapse brought about AGAIN by a lack of regulation and oversight. And that’s just the start of the problem – there’s a huge democratric defict here. The TTIP also contains provisions making it illegal to boycott or even label goods manufactured in Illegal Israeli settlements as such, which undermines the ability of the EU to have a foreign policy independant of the maniacs in the US congress. The TTIP also provides for secret courts “ISDS arbitration” which constitute an attempt to escape the jurisdiction of national courts and bypass the obligation of all states to ensure that all legal cases are tried before independent tribunals that are public, transparent, accountable and appealable. In short, the TTIP is a cash for democracy deal. No thanks.

    109
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Philip Kenna
    Favourite Philip Kenna
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 9:45 AM

    All the media outlets trip over themselves to publish articles endorsing this agreement, embellishing the text with pictures of shiny happy people shaking hands telling of endless growth and prosperity even though the same media outlets aren’t privy to the content of the agreement in full or its full implications.
    Have NONE of the mainstream media outlets any misgivings about the secret negotiation’s, lack of debate and consultation with the populace that this agreement seeks to subjugate? This thing Stinks, plain and simple, anyone who delves deeper than the glossy headlines cannot come away with anything but the feeling that corporate interests are trying to circumvent the laws and institutions that protect the ordinary citizen. Look into the existing agreements, the power balance has already shifted folks! Lobby your MEP! At least get them to educate themselves as to what they’re voting on!

    104
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Del Bionic
    Favourite Del Bionic
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 10:04 AM
    28
    why?
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute why?
    Favourite why?
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 9:40 AM

    “Chambers Ireland – In Business, For Business” is your man’s company.

    Sounds like a “common purpose” type lobbying group, three steps removed from a fancy suit and bluetooth earpiece cult.

    also, none of his rebuttals actually answer the many concerns, they just paint over it with rhetoric and mantra. typical cult, I suppose!

    TTIP is a monster, as is NAFTA/TPP, and all the current deals being discussed. They all seek to lock in profits for outdated and unnecessary business models and give the US an advantage (it’s they that insist on the secrecy).

    95
    why?
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute why?
    Favourite why?
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 9:49 AM

    and another thing – I did one of those “email all your MEP” things, and got replies from Matt Carthy, Brian Crowley and Deirdre Clune (all bulk replies obviously).

    Clune’s read, almost word for word, like the above piece. They have this well scripted, they know what their roles are and are paying their masters’ heed. All the EPP members, essentially Fine Gael on tour, want this wrapped up sharpish so they can get another pat on the head from their EU betters.

    Pathetic.

    101
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute B-Egan
    Favourite B-Egan
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 10:00 AM

    Anybody pushing this to be foisted on the peoples of the planet should maybe think about leaving it . The shortsighted greedy machineminds never contemplate the human misery these treaty’s entail. If this goes through I would encourage people to stop having children straight away for they will have less rights than them poor misfortunates we see in sweatshops . These souless profit driven people if you could call them that worship the power of the monster corporation they are fanatical and will usher in the degeneration of the human race to a degree that self hate will be the norm. This I the big picture here human rights gone profit margins up up . You think they care about us no robots will have your jobs corporations will run your country and us well were rendered obsolete. Get this through our heads you ate not protected from anything because your a human being these power junkies have been on a high for decades they have list all apathy they think your average person is a slave . Balls in our court now. Reject this and reject it by all means. Let us not be sleepwalked into a world were the junkies run the drugstore.

    89
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Elio Borza
    Favourite Elio Borza
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 10:16 AM

    Growth and jobs. where have i heard that before?

    81
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Redacticus
    Favourite Redacticus
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 10:39 AM

    LisBurn!?!

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Guy Incognito
    Favourite Guy Incognito
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 10:46 AM

    Mark: one of the biggest things I take issue with (and there are many things about TTIP that are insane) is the Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism that they’re looking at including. If brought in, it would enable US companies investing in Europe to challenge EU governments directly at private international tribunals, whenever they find that changes in law in the area of public health, consumer, environmental or social protection interfere with their profits. Guess which recently launched health directive that would affect here?

    Mark, honestly, you should be ashamed of yourself for peddling this. TTIP is quick-buck economics which would have massive repercussions and change the way things are regulated forever. It is a terrible, terrible idea.

    79
    why?
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute why?
    Favourite why?
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 11:44 AM

    would be great for an org like the author’s, though.
    bring on the lobbying!!

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Doyle
    Favourite Dave Doyle
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 10:09 AM

    Over the last 40minutes or so i have written two rebuttals to this article here in the comments section. Neither have been allowed. WHY? Is real debate on this issue not being allowed?

    75
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Doyle
    Favourite Dave Doyle
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 12:27 PM

    I have tried once more to put my opinion about TTIP, ISDS and this governments role in making this country TTIP ready in another comment. Once more it has been refused. Where is the informed debate on this issue, as spoken about in the above article, to be seen here?????

    52
    why?
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute why?
    Favourite why?
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 10:05 AM
    53
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Warai Aoi
    Favourite Warai Aoi
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 3:28 PM

    TIPP won’t give corporations the power to change public policy true but it will give them the power to cause major financial hardship for any country that doesn’t accept the lowest standards in employment law, safety and environmental standards and corporate oversight, in other words, they have a choice but its not much of a choice.
    People complain that the EU makes so much of our laws but at least we have some representation in Brussels, we will have no such representation if TIPP goes ahead and most of our laws relating to the conduct of private companies (many of whom will take over public services) are made in Washington.

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thomas Maher
    Favourite Thomas Maher
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 5:48 PM

    TTIP= big business suing governments for loss of earnings when they don’t get what they want. That is all anyone needs to know regarding this abomination.

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean J. Troy
    Favourite Sean J. Troy
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 12:53 PM

    If they remove that clause where companies can take governments to court, then maybe.

    But it’s absolutely insane to give corporations even more powerful over elected representatives of a country.

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Faux Mole
    Favourite Faux Mole
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 6:21 PM

    “There is an obligation on all of us to investigate the facts. With the tenth round of talks scheduled to take place in Brussels next month, it is vital that people engage with the debate.”

    What pray are we to debate about when the negotiations are conducted in *total secrecy*?
    Your article is pure waffle – vague aspirations of happiness wthout any basis in hard information.
    “Dere’s jobs lads. Sure and it will be grand!”

    As another opined, Denis O’Brien is only trotting after what is coming up behind TTIP and ISDS.

    “There is an obligation on all of us to investigate the facts”
    This includes you, eejit!

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John O'Hara
    Favourite John O'Hara
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 6:02 PM

    How does one respond to such naivety/collusion. I think Dell boy in ‘Only fools and horses’ says it best “What a plonker”

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cormac O Sullivan
    Favourite Cormac O Sullivan
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 8:10 PM

    why haven’t you written one negative aspect of ttip? you are either being lobbied or you haven’t done your research properly. my understanding of ttip is that it is being flagged as this great opportunity for sme’s very cleverly but what it’s actually doing is making it easier for massive corporations to get away with what they want to get away with. they will be able to sue governments ie taxpayers if their profits are affected and override court decisions. watch our food quality change when the likes of Monsanto and other cancer creators get their way. also say goodbye to any natural resources we have left, which isn’t much to be fair. TTIP is doomsday to me and I can’t stress that enough

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Miriam Kane
    Favourite Miriam Kane
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 5:34 PM

    As the saying goes tell it to the marines

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute J's Back
    Favourite J's Back
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 8:10 AM

    €119 Billion a year! Where do we sign??

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bobby Phelan
    Favourite Bobby Phelan
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 12:30 PM

    J s back 119 billion for eu read again.Mark is full of shite not facts

    82
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mike Hall
    Favourite Mike Hall
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 1:35 PM

    A stooge for ‘Chambers Ireland’ speaks up for TTIP. Oh what a surprise (not)… they don’t even remotely represent the SME sector, even tho’ they will BS they do. It’s all about the mega Corporations.

    Huge numbers of citizens continue to vote against their own interests, believing the mass brainwashing cr@p of macro economics as household finance, and trusting some supposed ‘centrist’ self-serving (and Capital/Financial Asset owner interest serving) politician & party.

    Equally, many SMEs will also tend to swallow the nonsense that what serves big Capital & the increasingly dominant Financial Capital sector is somehow in their interests. The divide has never been greater between big Capital and the SME sector, for whom I have great respect (having worked closely as a senior manager with small business owners), just as the divide between Labour and big Capital increases to new heights, not seen since the nastiness of the 19th Century.

    As ever, what is missing is the understanding that +macro+ economics is a circular flow, encompassing all, where one persons income is what they to spend to provide the next persons income.

    What ultimately matters is that maximimum use is made of resources for the greater +real+ living standards of all (no matter how the wage and Capital return pie is divided up).

    We do not achieve that by creating mass unemployment – people are our greatest resource. Both as Labour that produces the ‘real’ wealth that we use or consume, AND as full spending->income->spending> etc participants in the circular MACRO economic flow.

    And what creates mass unemployment is money that is removed from the circular flow and parked, hoarded or gambled in the now vastly bloated Finance casino. (The latter as big as it ever was despite the Finance derivatives (Mortgage Backed sEcurities etc.) Pyramid scam bust.

    The only reason to (yes, deliberately) create and maintain high/mass unemployment is to transfer increasing amounts of real resources to the Capital owning classes (principally the BIG Capital/Finance owning classes) from those of wage earning (not asset renting) Labour classes.

    In viewing this last decade or two, it is completely obvious that our system of democracy is all but worthless. It clearly does not represent the interests of the majority – which by definition in a system of capitalism, must always be Labour.

    Capitalism is not ‘fixed’ thing, not at all. It is perfectly possible to operate a balanced system of Capitalism where Capital interests are properly balanced by those of Labour thru what should be the latter’s representative agent – democratic Government. Perfectly possible that involuntary unemployment is banished forever and aggregate living standards are maximised and much higher than now. Perfectly possible for us as a society to ensure full protection in health & wellbeing for all those unable to work (or simply of retirement age etc).

    Perfectly possible to do it in a responsible way, respecting the sustainable use of natural resources. The shift to which is crying out for the un-utilised Labour resources we now waste in involuntary unemployment – simply because it suits the Capital/Finance owners to pretend the money lubricant required to maximise the circular flow of production is somehow limited. When in fact it is conjured out of thin air with nothing more than a computer keyboard, at retail Banks and Central Banks.

    Of course, it’s no accident that the masses are kept in mass +MACRO+ economics ignorance, and the 19th century false ‘household budget’ are universally peddled.

    Get some cop on folks that the only reason free education became useful and supported by the Capital owning elites & their bought politicians was to enable a workforce sufficiently capable of both more advanced technological tasks & also therefore to survive with sufficient health longer to get a ‘return’ on this investment.

    It is this ethos that continues to be the REAL driving force in public education to this day. Think about, in all the years of schooling you are given basically squat beyond a propaganda job in how to go about properly particpating in a functioning democracy (and democraticly controlled economy).

    Time to wake up and see the mass intellectual fraud, propaganda and control of a system that underneath a veneer of ballot box BS is still very much a structure that pre-dates anything we laughably call ‘democracy’ today.

    86
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Padriag O'Traged
    Favourite Padriag O'Traged
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 6:05 PM

    succinct and to the point

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Sands
    Favourite Michael Sands
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 11:56 PM
    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Sands
    Favourite Michael Sands
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 11:57 PM
    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Todd Hebert
    Favourite Todd Hebert
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 8:02 PM

    if you’re not against it, you’re a fool, because you can’t have read huge swaths of it, and those are likely where the awful bits lie. no treaty of any kind should EVER have sections that the people affected by the treaty are not allowed to see before it’s ratification.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Richard Sweeney
    Favourite Richard Sweeney
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 8:31 PM

    “SMEs face a range of trade barriers including unnecessarily complex regulations, licensing processes, product labelling requirements and inspection procedures.”

    These are not trade barriers, i would call them standards.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Barry Michael Collins
    Favourite Barry Michael Collins
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 8:54 PM

    The ability to sue governments for lost income.1984.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Donal McKeone
    Favourite Donal McKeone
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 8:30 PM
    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Les Reed
    Favourite Les Reed
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 11:19 PM

    That is a frightening article and should be widely read so that the growth of investor litigation against nations can be seen and understood – particularly should be read by FG Dáil hacks.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Sands
    Favourite Michael Sands
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 11:39 PM

    “Breaking down barriers to trade” BUT IT HAD LITTLE EFFECT ON TRADE ITS BIGGEST EFFECT WAS BIG COMPANIES OVER RULING COUNTRY LAWS. Look at what the trade agreements between Canada and the U.S. has done to companies suing Canada over everything and anything?

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Francis Crunchie Kelly
    Favourite Francis Crunchie Kelly
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 11:47 PM

    Traitor.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute @mdmak33
    Favourite @mdmak33
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 9:57 PM

    SME ,s will be forced out of business, faceless corpos running our country. were bad enough trying to get rid of the corruption we have.TTIP, piss off.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Du Berry
    Favourite Paul Du Berry
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 8:55 PM

    Jaysus, it looks great when you put it like that Mark.

    However, the fact of the matter is: TTIP if ratified would put the profits of big business ahead of everything else. It would weaken the rules that protect our environment, our health, the quality of food, workers rights, the rights of consumers and much more. And it would stop future governments from rolling back on privatisation of our public services, such as the water, energy, transport, health care.

    The European Parliament was forced to postpone their vote on TTIP and it was people power that made it happen. What is now clear is that support for TTIP in the Parliament is in decline and there is open resistance to ISDS, the secret arbitration court mechanism that allows corporations sue national governments. Hear this: ‘Over my dead body’ will this thing get the green light.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Les Reed
    Favourite Les Reed
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 11:22 PM

    I think it was delayed to avoid the damage that the 200+ amendments might have done to the treaty.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Sands
    Favourite Michael Sands
    Report
    Jun 11th 2015, 11:43 PM

    But TTIP would cause the price of food, meat, milk etc to go down here for cheaper stuff from America, so wouldn’t that not cost jobs here?
    It would allow GMO’s in food into this country as they are allowed into this country in processed food once it is not more than 1% of the product.
    TTIP was for criminals and big consumeristic businesses, and bad for small businesses.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mary Kavanagh
    Favourite Mary Kavanagh
    Report
    Jun 13th 2015, 2:33 AM

    A boom “trickles down” but a crash drops on us like a ton of bricks. Funny that…

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nick Caffrey
    Favourite Nick Caffrey
    Report
    Jun 12th 2015, 10:38 PM

    “It is right and proper that there is an open and informed public debate about the merits, opportunities and even the potential risks of TTIP. As the negotiations continue, we do have a right to question, but we should not have the right to say no at the outset.”
    Since when was it possible to have an open and informed public debate with the corporatocracy that is gradually eroding sovereignty throughout the world? Get real.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nick Caffrey
    Favourite Nick Caffrey
    Report
    Jun 12th 2015, 10:47 PM

    Mark; go and watch “Manufacturing Consent” again. and then catch up with the professor’s current output.

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds