Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 January 2024
170. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if Ireland plans has any plans to exit an international treaty (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4311/24]
View answerI have publicly stated on many occasions, most recently on 09 November 2023, in Dáil Eireann, that the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) is not fit for purpose and the modernisation programme of the ECT has been inadequate and has resulted in an unsatisfactory outcome. Therefore, Europe has signalled that the bloc should initiate a full exit from the Treaty. Ireland supports this position.
Throughout this process Ireland has expressed strong views within the EU on the compatibility of the Paris Climate Agreement and the ECT dispute resolution mechanism. We continue to express our views within the EU on these issues; I believe that our views carry more weight in international negotiations by advocating them as part of the European Union.
Ireland is among nine EU Member States who have indicated their decision to withdraw from the ECT, Italy left in 2015. We are engaging with all of our EU partners on the way forward to achieve this. Departing an international treaty is not an overnight process and will take time but the direction of travel for Ireland is clear.
