Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 December 2023
176. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 44 of 22 November 2023, to report on the Government's engagements with other EU partners with regard to a co-ordinated withdrawal from the energy charter treaty; if there is any agreed timeline in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55236/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I have publicly stated, most recently on 9 November last in the Dáil, the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) is not fit for purpose. The Energy Charter Treaty modernisation has not progressed adequately. Therefore, Europe has signalled a full exit from the treaty should be undertaken, now that modernisation has not been possible.
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. I 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 has signalled its intent to leave the Energy Charter Treaty but wants to do so in a coordinated way with the other Member States. Ireland is engaging with all of our EU partners on the way forward to achieve this.
Ireland is among nine EU Member States who have indicated they are withdrawing from the ECT; Italy left in 2015.
My Department is in ongoing engagement at an EU level on all relevant EU files to this Department, including on the Energy Charter Treaty.
The ECT negotiations are an iterative process involving my Department and other Government Departments, in addition to the EU Commission and other member states. My officials are continuously engaging with these entities on the matter.
While there is no timeline available as yet, I can re-emphasise Ireland’s intent to leave the Energy Charter Treaty, and that Ireland wants to do so in a coordinated way with the other Member States.
