Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

24. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the refusal of Wallonia to sign off on the EU Canada Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement, CETA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32944/16]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

CETA was discussed at the Informal Trade Council meeting in Bratislava on 23 September 2016. Member States highlighted the high quality of the Agreement reached with Canada and reaffirmed their desire to work towards signature.

To meet the political concerns of certain Member States, the European Commission and Canada have agreed a Joint Interpretative Instrument to provide further assurances in relation to public services, labour rights and environmental standards and investment.

At a further extraordinary meeting of the Trade Council on 18 October 2016 Trade Ministers did not agree to sign the Agreement. CETA was also discussed at the European Council on 22 October where all Member States apart from Belgium were in a position to support the Agreement.

Subsequently, intensive discussions were held between the Commission, Canada and representatives of the Belgium Federal and Regional Governments including Wallonia to address their concerns.

I am pleased to say that these discussions have resulted in all five Regional Parliaments being able to approve the Agreement, as confirmed by the Belgium Prime Minister.

As a result of these latest developments CETA has now be signed, paving the way for provisional application of the agreement.

I believe that the efforts made by the EU and Canada to address the concerns for clarity amongst EU Member States and the Wallonian regional Government are to be welcomed, as I believe the Joint Interpretative Instrument, which has been agreed, provides valuable assurances.