Taoiseach Micheál Martin has insisted that a referendum does not need to be held on the contentious CETA trade deal.
It comes after the Supreme Court ruled on Friday that part of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the EU breached parts of Ireland’s constitution.
Green Party TD Patrick Costello had launched a legal case about the agreement. He had argued against an investment court system that would settle debates between Canadian investors and EU member states. Mr Costello argued that this was unconstitutional.
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The judgment now has the potential to split the coalition, with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael both in favour of the Canadian trade deal.
The Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution precludes the ratification of the deal as Irish law now stands.
However, if certain amendments were made to the legislation, the deal could be ratified without breaching the constitution.
Mr Costello said that the State should now hold a referendum on the matter.
However, speaking in Blackpool, the Taoiseach said this was not required.
“The preliminary assessment is that a referendum would not be required and that an amendment to domestic legislation would suffice,” Mr Martin said.
“But of course, we have to do a detailed assessment of the judgment, but that is the preliminary assessment right now.
“CETA has been in operation provisionally since 2017.
“There is a point of law that has been adjudicated upon by the Supreme Court and the Government will respond to that.”
Mr Martin said that he “fully supports” Mr Costello’s rights to bring a case to the courts and that he has “no issue” with his actions.
He also denied that the Supreme Court judgement did not justify Sinn Féin’s opposition to CETA as he stood by comments labelling the party “anti-CETA” and “anti-free trade”.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, who is also the Minister for Enterprise, said that the judgement was “disappointing” as it meant the agreement could not be ratified immediately.
“The Government remains committed to ratifying the CETA agreement in full,” he said.
The judgement is due to cause further rifts in the coalition between the Green Party and Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
The Greens previously protested against the deal, while Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael were in favour.
The Government has already lost its majority in the Dáil, with Mr Costello and Neasa Hourigan both currently outside the Green Party. They lost the party whip after voting against the Government on the National Maternity Hospital.
It is understood that their six-month expulsion is up in the coming days and both will be able to seek readmission to the parliamentary party.
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