Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 November 2016
470. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of a free trade agreement between the EU and Japan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32903/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe last formal round of negotiations in the EU-Japan FTA, which was the 17th round since negotiations began in 2013, took place from the 26th to 30th September, 2016.
I am pleased to report that the negotiations between the EU and Japan have accelerated and significant progress has been made. Both sides are still hopeful of a successful conclusion in early 2017.
The EU – Japan FTA is vitally important to both parties in order to promote an enhanced economic partnership that will allow for an increase in trade and investment that will bring with it an increase in growth and jobs.
The last round of negotiations were divided, as during the previous rounds, between the various working groups which covered areas including, trade in goods (Market Access, General Rules and Trade Remedies); non-tariff measures and technical barriers to trade (TBT); rules of origin; customs and trade facilitation; sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS); trade in services; investment; procurement; intellectual property; sustainable development and dispute settlement.
There has been good progress made in many chapters with quite a number almost finalised. With regard to the rules for trade in goods, negotiators cleared up a number of remaining issues, and advanced on the text with a view to conclusion by the end of the year. On TBT, there was good progress on all aspects of the chapter and the majority of the text is now agreed. On the customs and trade facilitation chapter, both sides advanced in consolidating views on the scope to provide extended trade facilitation on import and export and made progress towards settling the few remaining issues. With regard to SPS measures, this round was slow but steady with some progress achieved in the articles examined.
On the services elements, several chapters are close to finalisation. On investment, there was significant progress in the area of investment and corporate governance. With regard to corporate governance, Japan has accepted the binding objectives and commitments proposed by the EU. On the issue of procurement, considerable progress was achieved in the drafting of the chapter. Negotiators on both sides had a first detailed discussion on the entire text of a proposal by the EU for a dedicated SME chapter.
Ireland is fully supportive of the EU’s trade negotiations with Japan and continues to support discussions on an ambitious FTA. An agreement with Japan will open opportunities for Irish exporters and companies across a wide range of sectors as production volumes and investment opportunities increase. In 2014, Ireland’s exports of goods to Japan were valued at €1.8bn, while our service exports were valued at €2.7bn. This equated to an increase of 5% and 8% respectfully from 2013.
The issue of growing market share in other markets is made even more important as a result of the recent UK referendum on its membership of the EU.
