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

On 15 January 2017, the European Parliament voted in favour of the provisional application of the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, better known as CETA. This is part of the democratic process as set out in the treaties for the approval of international trade agreements. Provisional application is a standard part of a trade agreement and allows those parts of the agreement for which the EU has competence to come into force. The provisions relating to investment protection and investment dispute settlement were excluded from the provisional application.

Ratification can now commence in member states according to their constitutional requirements. This is also part of the democratic process for ratification of the trade deal. The Dáil will be part of the final decision to ratify the agreement in our case. It is important to wait to see the benefits of the agreement come into being before it is put before the Dáil for ratification. Then we can have a fully informed debate based on facts and evidence. Ratification by the Dáil will not be sought in advance of any relevant proceedings at the European Court of Justice.

I support the provisional application of CETA so that firms may immediately benefit from the new business opportunities. My Department is already working with our agencies and business groups to ensure that firms can take advantage of the terms of this agreement. I will be leading a trade mission to Canada in the first half of this year to promote the opportunities provided by the agreement.

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