I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 to 103, inclusive, together.
On 14th January 2017, the final text of the EU-Canada Comprehensive and Economic Free Trade Agreement (CETA) (OJ L 11, 14.1.2017, p. 23–1079) was published in the Official Journal of the European Union and is available at http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:OJ.L_.2017.011.01.0023.01.ENG&toc=OJ:L:2017:011:TOC.
The detail requested by Deputy Wallace in relation to the reservations in the Agreement is available for -
Annex I Reservations for existing measures and liberalisation - pages 592 - 866;
- EU Party Reservations applicable in the European Union (applicable in all Member States of the EU unless otherwise indicated) - pages 722 – 728;
- Annex I Reservations applicable in Germany - pages 760 – 771;
- Annex I Reservations applicable in Ireland - pages 804 – 806.
Annex II Reservations for future measures – pages 867 – 1027;
- EU Party Reservations applicable in the European Union (applicable in all Member States of the EU unless otherwise indicated) - pages 898 –936;
- EU Reservation on the collection, purification and distribution of water – pages 922 – 923;
- Annex I Reservations applicable in Germany - pages 978 – 983;
- Annex I Reservations applicable in Ireland - pages 988 – 989.
In relation to water supply, like all EU trade agreements, CETA does not cover public services. CETA will not force governments to privatise or deregulate public services like the water supply and Ireland will be able to keep public monopolies for particular services. The Agreement does not oblige Ireland to permit the commercial use of water if it does not wish to do so. It fully preserves Ireland’s sovereign right to decide how to use and protect water sources. Furthermore, the Agreement will not prevent the reversal of a decision to allow the commercial use of water.
Regarding the advantages CETA offers, all the details are in the text of the Agreement including the elimination of tariffs on almost all key exports, easing regulatory barriers and ensuring more transparent rules for market access. For example, the elimination of 26.5% tariffs on beef and up to 18% on clothing will make our exports more competitive. Furthermore, the opening of public procurement markets in Canada is significant and will bring new opportunities for Irish exporters across a range of sectors.