Written answers

Thursday, 26 March 2015

Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Trade Agreements

Photo of Thomas PringleThomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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24. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on whether the adoption of the transatlantic trade and investment partnership treaty will require a referendum here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12083/15]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is a Free Trade Agreement being negotiated between the European Union and its Member States and the US. It will be an Agreement within the meaning of Article 29.5.2 of the Constitution. Ratification by Ireland will therefore be subject to prior approval of Dáil Éireann. The question of a referendum does not arise.

Photo of Richard Boyd BarrettRichard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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25. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress of talks between the European Union and the United States of America on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership; the meetings he has attended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11959/15]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard 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, eight negotiating rounds have taken place. The 9thround is scheduled to take place in Washington from 20th-24thApril 2015.

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

In accordance with Article 207 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the EU Commission negotiates on behalf of the EU and regularly reports to the Council of Ministers which I attend.

Photo of Mick WallaceMick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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26. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his views on the EU's regulatory co-operation provisions in the transatlantic trade and investment partnership talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12046/15]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The European Union's initial proposal for legal text on Regulatory Cooperation in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) was tabled for discussion with the United States in the negotiating round of 2-6 February 2015. The text, which was made public by the Commission on 10 February 2015, can be found at the following link:

The draft contains proposed text establishing a regulatory co-operation body, the purpose of which would be to monitor and facilitate the implementation of any agreed regulatory co-operation provisions under TTIP.

It is usual that an international agreement would provide for the appropriate structures to oversee the implementation of the various provisions of the agreement, and so an appropriate structure should be provided for to oversee any regulatory co-operation provisions agreed under TTIP.

Photo of Thomas PringleThomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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27. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the proposals in the transatlantic trade and investment partnership negotiations that have been discussed to liberalise the market for public services and water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12078/15]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The EU's mandate to negotiate the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) states that services supplied in the exercise of governmental authority as defined by Article I.3 of GATS shall be excluded from these negotiations.

Both the EU and the US have repeatedly confirmed that no commitments will be taken on public services. This means that TTIP will have no implications for health, education, social services and other public services, including water.

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