Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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257. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if a date will be scheduled in Dáil Éireann to have an opportunity to debate the comprehensive economic and trade agreement (CETA) (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21174/17]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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On the 30th October 2016, the EU – Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) was signed by representatives from Canada, the EU and its Member States. On the 15th February 2017, the European Parliament voted in support of the provisional application of CETA.

The process of ratification can now commence in some 43 national parliaments and regional assemblies across the EU according to their constitutional requirements. In Ireland’s case, the Dáil will be part of the final decision to ratify the Agreement.

I fully support provisional application of the Agreement. I am of the view that there should be no impediment to Irish companies immediately taking advantage of the provisions of CETA including eliminating tariffs on almost all of key exports, access to the Canadian procurement market, easing regulatory barriers and ensuring more transparent rules for market access.

Canada is currently finalising its internal implementation procedures to allow for its ratification of the Agreement, therefore CETA is yet to be provisionally applied. I believe that it is important to wait to see the benefits of CETA come into being, before CETA is put before the Dáil for ratification. Then we can have a fully informed, evidence based debate on the value of the Agreement to 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 late May to promote the opportunities provided by the Agreement.

An Taoiseach is meeting with Prime Minister Trudeau today to discuss the ties between Canada and Ireland and in particular how to take advantage of the opportunities created by CETA.