Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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309. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide further details on the representations his Department has received on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, which numbered 586 at the time of his previous reply; if he will provide a list of the number of meetings that have taken place between his Department and all non-governmental organisations or industry groups; if he will indicate whether the large number of representations received from private citizens reflected widespread support for the partnership, or concerns and opposition to it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24977/15]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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As I noted in my previous response to the Deputy on this issue, as of 9^thJune my Department’s records indicate receipt of 586 representations on Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) since the negotiations began in 2013. Of the 566 that I indicated were from private citizens, 514 of these, received between January and February this year, focused on a single issue, namely, investment protection and investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) in TTIP.

It is important to remember that the negotiating mandate in respect of a Free Trade deal between the EU and US makes it clear that the inclusion of investment protection and ISDS will depend on EU interests being met and on the final balance of the Agreement. The mandate states that the objectives of any investment protection provisions would be without prejudice to the right of EU and the member states to adopt and enforce measures necessary to pursue legitimate public policy objectives such as social, environmental, security, stability of the financial system, public health and safety in a non-discriminatory manner.

The details available on meetings were set out in my previous response.

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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310. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the views of the Industrial Development Agency Ireland on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership; if it has expressed concerns that the partnership will diminish Ireland’s advantages as a gateway to Europe for investors from the United States of America and elsewhere; the way these concerns were raised and discussed, and if they should be discussed more publicly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24978/15]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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According to assessments made by the EU Commission, a comprehensive Freed Trade deal between the EU and US could over time boost EU GDP by 0.5% per annum bringing significant economic gains as a whole for the EU. This converts into 400,000 jobs across the EU. An independent study commissioned by my Department carried out by Copenhagen Economics estimates that these benefits in Ireland will be proportionally greater than in the EU as a whole. It suggests growth in Irish exports of almost 4%, increases in investment of 1.5% and increase in real wages of 1.5%. It estimates somewhere between 5,000 and 10,000 additional export related jobs.

IDA Ireland was represented on the steering group that was chaired by my Department to oversee the Copenhagen Economics study. It is standard practice to have a steering group in any commissioned research which involves public funds. The role of the steering group was also to ensure that any data or information required by Copenhagen Economics was provided, and also to see that the terms reference were adhered to.

IDA Ireland supports an EU/US Freed Trade deal (TTIP) and the potential for the increased investment which accompanies greater trading flows as identified by the Copenhagen Economics study. IDA Ireland also welcomes the expected 3.5% increase Irish exports from the FDI sector and the expected positive employment and productivity impacts.

My Department will continue to liaise with relevant Government Departments and agencies as the negotiations proceed to ensure Ireland's position is optimised under the terms of any emerging deal.