Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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492. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the reports to the Human Rights Council and General Assembly by a UN independent expert warning that the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement is incompatible with the rule of law, democracy and human rights and gives undue power to corporations at the expense of national governments and human rights; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33383/16]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) is a high standard trade agreement which safeguards and promotes the EU’s norms and values.

It is important to note that Independent Experts are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis and are not U.N. staff and serve in their individual capacity, as such their views are not the views of the U.N.

As the Deputy will be aware the provisions in CETA relating to investment protection and investment dispute resolution will be excluded from provisional application.

In addition, to meet the political concerns of certain Member States, the European Commission and Canada have agreed a Joint Interpretative Instrument to provide further assurances in relation to public services, labour rights and environmental standards and investment.

Accordingly, the Government supported provisional application as we are keen to see Irish firms enjoy tariff free benefits and new business opportunities as soon as possible.