Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2021
134. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the economic and sustainability impact assessment for Ireland of the EU-Mercosur Association Agreement will be published given that he indicated it would be due at the end of quarter 1 2021 and this date has now passed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24128/21]
View answerThe Deputy will recall that this particular Economic and Sustainability Impact Assessment consists of two important and complementary components, namely a comprehensive analysis of the potential economic benefits as well as a robust sustainability impact assessment including social, human rights and environmental impacts that the trade Agreement could have in Ireland and the Mercosur countries of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. As such, it is a considerable undertaking, which, unfortunately, has necessitated us running beyond the Q1 2021 deadline by which we had hoped to have the finalised report considered by Government and published.
As previously reported to the House, the detailed research and stakeholder consultations are concluded, and I have been informed that drafting of the actual Report itself is well advanced such that the Report is expected to be received by my Department in the coming weeks. It will be published as soon as possible after consideration by Government.
