Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2016
639. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to respond to the Seanad Éireann vote on the provisional application of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement; and if she intends to adhere to this vote at the meeting of Ministers in Brussels (details supplied). [30403/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraCETA represents a modern high standard agreement which has the ability to set a new global standard for Trade Agreements. It will end limitations in access to public contracts, open up markets for services and offer predictable conditions for investors. CETA 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. As stated in the Seanad by my colleague Minister for Enterprise and Small Business, Pat Breen T.D., following concerns raised in a number of Member State parliaments, the Council Decision provides that the provisions in CETA in relation to investment protection and investment dispute settlement will be excluded from provisional application. Canada will mirror the decision of the EU on provisional application of CETA, pending the ratification of the agreement by Member States. The EU and Canada are also finalising a legally binding Joint Interpretative Declaration that will be added to CETA, to provide further assurances in relation to public services, labour rights, environmental protection and investment.
The full entering into force of the agreement 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. In this regard, Dáil Eireann will be a part of the final decision to ratify CETA in accordance with Article 29.5.2 of the Constitution.
The EU and Canada are working towards the signature of CETA at the EU-Canada Summit scheduled to take place on the 27th October 2016. Today, the 18th October 2016, in Luxembourg, Ministers will be asked to sign and agree to the provisional application of CETA. The EU Council of Trade Ministers will also be asked to approve the Joint Interpretative Declaration.
Ireland stands to gain substantially from CETA, I support and welcome the Agreement and I am looking forward to Irish firms enjoying the benefits and new opportunities as soon as possible. I am of the view that the recent developments including the exclusion of the investment protection provision from the provisional application of CETA and the proposed additional legal guarantee on public services, labour rights and environmental protection address the concerns raised in the Seanad. I would also restate that the Agreement will come before the Dáil in due course for ratification.
