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

Given the position taken by Ireland and other member states, the European Commission amended its position and has submitted CETA to the Council for decision as a mixed agreement. This means that it will require both EU and individual member states' ratification. However, following a decision by the Council with the consent of the Parliament, it will be possible to provisionally apply CETA.

Provisional application is a standard process in free trade agreements which provides for the coming into effect of those areas over which the EU has competence. Provisional application will not apply to those areas over which member states have competence. Furthermore, provisions in CETA relating to investment protection and investment dispute resolution will be excluded from provisional application. 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.

The issue of growing exports in other markets such as Canada is made even more important by the result of the UK referendum on its membership of the EU.

The full entering into force of CETA will be subject to the conclusion by the EU, through a Council decision with the consent of the European Parliament, and by all member states through the relevant national ratification procedures. This means that there will be a debate and vote on CETA in the Dáil in order to ratify the agreement.

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