Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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599. To ask the Minister for Health the potential changes that may be brought about in the health sector by the introduction of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23363/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is a comprehensive free trade and investment treaty currently being negotiated between the European Union and the USA. The negotiations cover three main areas: Market access; Cooperation between the EU and US regulators; and Trade Rules.

Objectives of the agreement include promoting closer collaboration between regulatory authorities, harmonising requirements, promoting information sharing and mutual reliance for some regulatory procedures. In relation to the health sector, particularly in the areas of medical devices, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, a greater understanding of regulatory requirements and in some cases, harmonised requirements between the EU and US are envisaged.

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 General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) shall be excluded from these negotiations. Article 1.3 states that:

“In fulfilling its obligations and commitments under the Agreement, each Member shall take such reasonable measures as may be available to it to ensure their observance by regional and local governments and authorities and non-governmental bodies within its territory;

- “services” includes any service in any sector except services supplied in the exercise of governmental authority;

- “a service supplied in the exercise of governmental authority” means any service which is supplied neither on a commercial basis, nor in competition with one or more service suppliers.”

Both chief negotiators confirmed after the 7th Round of negotiations that no commitments will be taken on public services.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (DJEI) is leading on negotiations for Ireland. It commissioned Copenhagen Economics to prepare a report on TTIP impact in Ireland. This report is available on the Department's website .

As negotiations are ongoing this Department will continue to liaise with DJEI to consider potential impacts for the health sector.