My Department engaged international expertise to examine the economic and other impacts and related potential opportunities for Ireland of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership [TTIP]. The focus of the study is to identify key areas and sectors of the economy that will be impacted by the TTIP.
The preliminary findings of the consultants were presented at a conference on TTIP that I hosted on 20 June last, to which Oireachtas members from relevant Joint Committees were invited. These indicate that a comprehensive trade and investment deal between the EU and the US could lead to a 1.1% increase in Irish GDP. The consultants find that the TTIP has the potential to strengthen Ireland's position as a hub for multi-national enterprises in the EU market and to increase investment to Ireland by 1.6%. Other preliminary findings show benefits for Ireland including an increase in exports by 2.7%, and in real wages by 1.4% based on scenarios used in the study.