Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

296. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the passing of the CETA trade deal by the EU and its implications for trade here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8706/17]

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

The EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) covers virtually every aspect of economic activity.  It will remove over 99% of tariffs and will create sizeable new market access opportunities in services and investment in many sectors for Irish firms. 

Irish firms will also be able to bid for Canadian public contracts at the federal and sub-federal level.  They will benefit from the recognition of product standards and certification, thus saving on ‘double testing’ on both sides of the Atlantic.  CETA provides significant opportunities for the Irish dairy industry and has strong protections for our beef industry through restricted quotas for Canadian beef entering the EU.  There are a range of sectoral opportunities for Irish firms in Canada, including financial software, telecoms, digital media, agricultural machinery and life-sciences and medical devices.

I support the provisional application of CETA so that Irish firms may immediately benefit from the Agreement and to generate jobs and growth for Ireland.  My Department is already working with our agencies and Business Groups to ensure that Irish firms take early advantage of the terms of the Agreement.  I will be leading a trade mission to Canada in the first half of this year to promote the opportunities provided by CETA.