Nice will promote privatisation, says TD

Nice Treaty provisions which extend the remit of the Commission to negotiate external trade agreements in services will hasten the privatisation of water and postal services, the Socialist Party TD, Mr Joe Higgins, claimed yesterday.

Speaking with Councillor Clare Daly at the party's Nice campaign launch, Mr Higgins said the Commission powers (Article 133) had been "covered up completely so far despite the fact that they have major implications for the economy."

Article 133 is seen by supporters as the rationalisation of a anomaly whereby the Commission negotiates external trade deals in industrial products and agriculture, but member states retain that right in respect of services and intellectual property.

Mr Higgins argues the move to qualified majority voting on trade deals in services means agreements on liberalisation of services such as water and postal services can be imposed on national governments.

While not opening up the privatisation process, he said, Nice would strengthen it. He warned the Commission's secret intentions with regard to water and the WTO had been revealed by the Guardian.