Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 November 2015
64. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which negotiations in respect of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership are continuing; if all outstanding or contentious issues have been identified and isolated, with a view to resolution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38575/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to report that negotiations between the EU and the US on trade and investment have accelerated and solid progress has been made.
The 11th round in these negotiations took place in Miami from 19th – 23rd October, 2015.
During this round negotiators discussed all three pillars of the proposed agreement, namely, market access for EU and US companies, regulatory cooperation and trade rules.
There was substantial progress on market access for EU and US companies in all three areas including tariffs, services and public procurement. A second tariff offer was exchanged and both sides have now arrived at a level of proposal in terms of tariff line coverage which will assist and benefit further negotiations. There was also discussion in relation to public procurement and it is envisaged that there will be an exchange of market access proposals on public procurement by February 2016.
The negotiations also provided an opportunity to clarify some of the main principles of regulatory cooperation. These included the fact that any cooperation is possible only if the level of protection for consumers stays the same or improves and any form of regulatory cooperation will not change or affect the EU regulatory and democratic process.
In line with the new EU Trade Strategy, the EU also tabled its proposal for sustainable development, including on labour and the environment, and also discussed rules for trade facilitation, competition, energy and raw materials and others. Negotiators on both sides remain positive and expect further substantial progress by early next year.
The EU has yet to exchange views on Investment Protection. While offers reaching 97% of all tariff lines have been exchanged, the most sensitive issues including some agriculture product lines have yet to be discussed.
At the Council of Trade Ministers scheduled to meet on 27 November in Brussels, I will have the opportunity to discuss progress on these negotiations with Commissioner Malmström and with EU Council colleagues.
