I ask the Leader to clarify how the national European parliaments operate in trade deals between EU and non-EU countries. Recently, a deal between the European Union and Canada was concluded after seven years of negotiations. In some cases, people have said the deal will have to be ratified by national parliaments. Will the Leader confirm whether that is the case and, if so, will both Chambers be obliged to ratify it? Two national newspapers, the Irish Daily Mail and the Irish Independent, have covered the trade deal between Canada and the European Union. Commissioner Malmström is the EU trade chief executive and yesterday she accused EU governments of not showing adequate leadership in explaining the deals to their citizens. It is difficult for citizens to know about a deal unless it comes through their national parliaments. To my knowledge, none of the deals has come to national parliaments so far. It was also reported that the deal, known as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, CETA, is the largest trade deal ever concluded by the European Union. It eliminates 99% of customs duties between the European Union and Canada and opens up lucrative public procurement contracts in agrifood markets for EU companies. EU trade deals are negotiated by the European Commission on behalf of the bloc's governments but have increasingly required the approval of national parliaments before they can take effect. I ask the Leader to clarify, for the benefit of the House, perhaps not today but at some stage, whether the trade agreements, of which there have been many during the years, would have to be placed before all parliaments, including this one?

I was going to call Senator Robbie Gallagher, but I see that he has left the Chamber.