Michael D Higgins TD

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Higgins continues opposition to exploitative and misguided EPAs

Issued : Monday 21 June, 2010

Michael D Higgins TD, Labour Party President and Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs,  at a meeting of the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs again stated his commitment to opposing an attempt by the Government to ram through three seperate European Partnership Agreements with the South African Development Community, the East Africa Community and Southern African States.

Deputy Higgins said "We are asked to approve terms as soon as possible. We are told all other EU states have signed them. We are warned that we are lagging behind and holding up the World Trade Organisation. This is is impertinent, non-sense and unworthy of our development goals. Most of the African countries concerned have not signed them. Indeed, the former President of Tanzania and current President of Malawi have asked EU states not to sign. The European Parliament has not considered them. And, we are not the only Member State. "

"On the 25 May, I questioned the Taoiseach on the Order of Business as to why debate on these three Agreements was not possible. Why were they listed for adoption 'without debate'. He promised then that he 'could' and 'would' make time available. He is on record. Yet again tomorrow the Order of Business lists these EPA's to be adopted without discussion in the Dáil. This is a telling sign of the government's priorities. I will continue my opposition."

"These agreements run contrary to Ireland's development policy. They specifically reveal a bent in the European Commission trade negotiating teams on extracting their pound of flesh from each country, dividing and conquering. The three agreements are not the same. The weakest countries get the worst terms from Ireland and our fellow Member States. This trend has become even more accentuated since Baroness Ashton left her Trade Commissionership and is lamentable. The presentation which Minister for State Peter Power gave today of the Agreements is a trade presentation, not a development presentation."

"Irish Aid seems to have been dragged into this trade bent. It must resist. The EU and the Trade Directorate must be held accountable, and in Ireland accountability rests in the Dáil. There are movements afoot in Africa towards regional agreements between African countries. These would be pro-development. The EPAs run counter to that.”