Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The question that was posed to me was to explain in detail the ratification process in relation to CETA and if I will make a statement on the matter. On 5 July 2016, the Commission published its proposals for signature, conclusion and provisional application of CETA, which are available on the EU Commission’s website. I ask that the public look at that website. Given the position taken by Ireland and other member states, I note that the commission has now decided to submit CETA to the council for decision as a mixed agreement. This means that the agreement contains provisions that fall under both EU and member state responsibility. It will be a matter for the Council and the European Parliament to decide on the signature and provisional application of CETA. Following a decision by the council with the consent of the Parliament, it will be possible to provisionally apply CETA. Its full entering into force will be subject to the conclusion by the EU, through a Council decision with the consent of the Parliament and by all member states through the relevant national ratification procedures. This means that the Oireachtas will be part of the final decision to ratify the agreement. That means that we will vote on it here in the Chamber. The process will require that I, as Minister, move a motion in the Dáil to ratify the agreement and that there will be a vote.

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