Bríd Smith
Ceist:296. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation when she expects Dáil Éireann to discuss and vote on the trade deal CETA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3099/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 8 February 2017
Ceisteanna (296)
Freagraí scríofa
CETA was adopted by Council of the European Union and signed by Canada, the EU and its Member States at the EU-Canada Summit on 30 October. The European Parliament vote on CETA is provisionally scheduled for 15 February 2017.
Should the Parliament give its consent, the agreement will be provisionally applied. The provisions in CETA relating to investment protection and investment dispute resolution will be excluded from provisional application.
The full entering into force of the agreement will be subject to a Council decision with the consent of the European Parliament and by the approval of all Member States through the relevant national ratification procedures. This means that Dáil Eireann will be part of the final decision to ratify the agreement.
My view is that it is important to wait to see the benefits of CETA come into being, before CETA is put before the Dáil for ratification. Then we can have a fully informed debate based on real facts and evidence. I will be working with Enterprise Ireland and Business Groups to ensure that Irish firms take early advantage of the terms of this Agreement. In this context I have prioritised a trade mission to Canada in the first half of this year.