Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 16 September 2016
1855. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position of Ireland in relation to granting provisional approval for the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between the EU and Canada when the matter is considered at the next meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council of the EU; her views on whether Dáil Éireann should be consulted on this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25625/16]
View answerThe EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) is a new generation agreement that will remove tariffs between the EU and Canada and will create sizeable new market access opportunities in services and investment. It will end limitations in access to public contracts, open-up services market, and offer predictable conditions for investors.
The EU-Canada Agreement will save on duty costs as 99.6% of all industrial tariffs will be eliminated on entry into force. Irish firms will also benefit from the recognition of product standards and certification, thus saving on ‘double testing’ on both sides of the Atlantic. These are some of the benefits of the trade deal with Canada as well as providing new market opportunities in many sectors for Irish firms.
Given the position taken by Ireland and other Member States, the Commission has submitted CETA to the Council for decision as a mixed agreement, that is, one requiring both EU and individual Member States ratification. It will be a matter for the Council and the European Parliament to decide on the signature and provisional application of CETA. The Treaties provide that following a decision by the Council with the consent of the European Parliament, it will be possible to provisionally apply CETA. Provisional application is a standard process in Free Trade Agreements which provides for the coming into effect of those areas over which the EU has competence. Provisional application will not apply to those areas for with the EU does not have competence. Accordingly, I support provisional application as I am keen to see Irish firms enjoy the tariff free benefits and new opportunities as soon as possible.
There should be no impediment to Irish companies and consumers immediately taking advantage of the provisions of the CETA which are EU competence. These areas constitute over 90% of the text of the CETA and include the all-important chapters on public procurement, rules and tariffs.
Of course the full entering into force of CETA will be subject, in the first instance, to a decision by the EU, through a Council decision with the consent of the Parliament, and secondly by the approval of all Member States through the relevant national ratification procedures. This means that Dáil Eireann will be part of the final decision to ratify the agreement.
