Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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32. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding the EU-USA trade agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35203/14]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Since the formal negotiations between the European Union and the United States on a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) began in July 2013, seven negotiating rounds have taken place. The most recent (7^th) Round took place in the US from 29 September to 3 October 2014. The EU chief negotiator's press statement following the end of the 7^thRound is available at



Reports of previous Rounds, together with background documents, are available on the European Commission's TTIP website at



I am also happy to report that the scope of the EU Commission's mandate to negotiate with the US on TTIP is publicly available since 9 October 2014, and can be found on the EU Council's website at

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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33. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will address the threat to Irish jobs posed by the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations currently under way between the EU and the US (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39300/14]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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According to assessments made by the EU Commission and other European bodies, a comprehensive Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership could over time boost EU GDP by 0.5% per annum bringing significant economic gains as a whole for the EU. This agreement will provide a significant injection of economic activity and consequently bring new job opportunities.

I have indicated in replies to previous Parliamentary Questions some of the tentative and preliminary findings from the study commissioned by my Department, concerning the economic and other impacts and potential opportunities for Ireland. These suggest an additional 1.1% increase in GDP, higher than the estimated GDP gain from TTIP for the EU as a whole. This also means job opportunities for Ireland.

This is an ongoing negotiation. I fully intend to work at securing the best deal for Ireland by the end of these negotiations, bearing in mind our sensitive beef sector, and the opportunities that would be opened up for our important dairy industry.

This trade and investment agreement will build on the deep economic and wider relationship we have with the US, and will create jobs by opening up further opportunities in the US market for Irish business, including agri-business.