Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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241. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will outline EU or national studies or research regarding employment growth, job creation and the increase in exports of goods and services as a direct result of EU free trade agreements from an EU and Irish perspective and other benefits accruing. [26414/17]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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My Department plans to undertake a comprehensive study which will examine in depth the economic impact of existing and forthcoming EU Free Trade Agreements.  The analysis from the study will inform the Department and relevant agencies in setting the policy framework required for Irish businesses to take full advantage of concluded trade agreements and preferential trade access, and to prepare for future opportunities.  The study will also identify the impact of free trade agreements at sectoral level, especially on employment and output.  The terms of reference for the study are currently being developed.

From Ireland’s perspective the EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement had a very positive impact in stimulating bilateral trade and investment.  There has been a significant increase in total trade between Ireland and Korea since the Agreement came into force in 2011 with trade in services increasing by 90% to €680 million and trade in goods increasing by 166% to €1.8 billion. 

The Deputy may wish to view the following publications in relation to the benefit of EU free trade agreements -

Making trade an engine of growth for all: The case for trade and for policies to facilitate adjustment 2017

;

Annual Report on the Implementation of the EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement2016 ;

Chief Economist Note EU Exports to the World: Effects on employment and income 2016

;

EU Exports to the World: Effects on employment and income 2015

;

Trade, Growth and Jobs Commission Contribution to the European Council 2013

.

In addition to these studies, the European Commission and my Department both conducted impact assessments which modelled the potential of impact of a free trade agreement with the US.  These can be found at –

;

.  

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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242. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will outline current EU free trade agreements that are in pre-negotiation phase and impact assessments with each such free trade agreement. [26415/17]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The European Commission Work Programme 2017 provides that the Commission will seek authorisation to open negotiations for free trade agreements (FTA) with New Zealand and Australia. 

The European Commission concluded preparatory talks with New Zealand on 7 March 2017 and with Australia on 6 April 2017 to assess whether the countries have similar interests for a trade deal to be feasible.  This scoping exercise defines the areas to be covered and the level of ambition of future free trade agreements.

As a next step, the European Commission will ask Member States for negotiating mandates to negotiate on behalf of the EU on the basis of specific objectives for an EU – New Zealand FTA and an EU-Australia FTA.  In parallel, the European Commission is finalising impact assessments of the potential impact of such a trade deals.

These impact assessments will take into account new opportunities that such agreements could create for EU businesses, as well as, taking into account EU agricultural sensitivities as provided for in the European Commission’s “Trade Strategy for All 2015”.  The impact assessments will be publically available on the European Commissions website.