Written answers

Tuesday, 11 July 2017

Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement

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

98. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 6 of 29 June 2017, the source data that her answer was based on; the version of the CETA trade agreement that she was referencing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32433/17]

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

99. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Question No. 18 of 29 June 2017, the source data that her answer was based on; the version of the CETA trade agreement that she was referencing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32434/17]

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

100. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 6 and 18 of 29 June 2017, the sectors and sub-sectors that Ireland and Germany have each included in their negative list and reservations in the CETA agreement; if she will provide the detail of reservations for existing measures and liberalisation commitments and reservations for future measures; the reservations which apply at a national level and which apply only at regional level with regard to both countries; the number of pieces of legislation which come under both countries' reservation lists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32435/17]

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

101. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 6 and 18 of 29 June 2017, the detail of the CETA trade agreement, that is, page number and section that specifies that the water supply sector here will not be subject to the terms of the agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32436/17]

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

102. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 6 and 18 of 29 June 2017, if her understanding of Article 1.9(3) of the CETA trade agreement means that Ireland's water sector will be subject to the terms of the agreement in view of the fact that Irish Water charges for water and this permits the commercial use of water sources (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32437/17]

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

103. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 6 and 18 of 29 June 2017, if she will provide links to the economic research and data behind her positive characterisation of CETA and her claim of huge advantages it offers to Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32438/17]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 to 103, inclusive, together.

On 14thJanuary 2017, the final text of the EU-Canada Comprehensive and Economic Free Trade Agreement (CETA) (OJ L 11, 14.1.2017, p. 23–1079) was published in the Official Journal of the European Union and is available at .

The detail requested by Deputy Wallace in relation to the reservations in the Agreement is available for -

Annex I Reservations for existing measures and liberalisation - pages 592 - 866;

- EU Party Reservations applicable in the European Union (applicable in all Member States of the EU unless otherwise indicated)  - pages 722 – 728;

- Annex I Reservations applicable in Germany  - pages 760 – 771;

- Annex I Reservations applicable in Ireland - pages 804 – 806.

Annex II Reservations for future measures – pages 867 – 1027;

- EU Party Reservations applicable in the European Union (applicable in all Member States of the EU unless otherwise indicated)  - pages 898 –936;

- EU Reservation on the collection, purification and distribution of water – pages 922 – 923;

- Annex I Reservations applicable in Germany  - pages 978 – 983;

- Annex I Reservations applicable in Ireland - pages 988 – 989.

In relation to water supply, like all EU trade agreements, CETA does not cover public services. CETA will not force governments to privatise or deregulate public services like the water supply and Ireland will be able to keep public monopolies for particular services. The Agreement does not oblige Ireland to permit the commercial use of water if it does not wish to do so. It fully preserves Ireland’s sovereign right to decide how to use and protect water sources. Furthermore, the Agreement will not prevent the reversal of a decision to allow the commercial use of water.

Regarding the advantages CETA offers, all the details are in the text of the Agreement including the elimination of tariffs on almost all key exports, easing regulatory barriers and ensuring more transparent rules for market access. For example, the elimination of 26.5% tariffs on beef and up to 18% on clothing will make our exports more competitive. Furthermore, the opening of public procurement markets in Canada is significant and will bring new opportunities for Irish exporters across a range of sectors.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.