A Green Party TD says a controversial vote on the EU-Canada CETA trade agreement simply "isn't in the deal" that led to the Government being formed.
Neasa Hourigan says she has had to vote for things she is "deeply unhappy with and uncomfortable about" because of the programme for government, but this issue was specifically vetoed by the Greens during those negotiations.
She said she hasn't received an answer from her party's ministers over why this vote is now on the Dáil schedule.
Deputy Hourigan is one of two Green Party TDs - along with Patrick Costello - who've said they won't back the Government on the full ratification of the trade deal.
The party's now seeking a postponement of the planned vote, which is scheduled for tomorrow.
While much of the deal is already in place, the trade agreement requires the backing of parliaments across all EU member states to be fully operational.
Cabinet signed off on pushing ahead with a vote this week, but it's now unclear if it can pass due to opposition with the Green Party.
Deputy Hourigan told The Hard Shoulder the argument surrounds a proposed investment court system.
She explained: "[It's] a special tribunal court outside of our own national courts, where investors can sue national governments if they think their interests or profits have been affected by new policies and regulations.
"I particularly am worried about the impact on environmental regulation - even if you don't get prosecutions, you'll have a chilling effect where people may be worried they'll get sued."
She also pointed out how public health measures - such as new laws around alcohol - could be impacted by such a court.
She said the law needs more oversight than being "pushed through the week before Christmas with a 50-minute debate".
'We made plenty of compromises'
Since entering Government, Deputy Hourigan has voiced her opposition to a number of coalition decisions - and resigned as party whip after voting against the government several times during the summer.
She suggested her leaving the party would make for a 'much quieter and easier life' for some of her colleagues, and that there might come a time when that happens.
However, for now she believes in highlighting the party's policies and beliefs.
The programme for government set out the coalition's policy priorities. and Deputy Hourigan said this CETA issue simply isn't part of that.
She observed: "There was an attempt to put CETA in, and it was flagged by us - I think by me - that that shouldn't really be in there.
"We made plenty of compromises. Over the last few months I've had to vote for things I am deeply unhappy with and uncomfortable about... but we made a deal.
"We have tried to adhere to that deal. This isn't in the deal."
She noted that 11 other countries also haven't ratified the CETA deal, so there's "no time pressure" in getting it passed.
