Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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134. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the economic and sustainability impact assessment for Ireland of the EU-Mercosur Association Agreement will be published given that he indicated it would be due at the end of quarter 1 2021 and this date has now passed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24128/21]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will recall that this particular Economic and Sustainability Impact Assessment consists of two important and complementary components, namely a comprehensive analysis of the potential economic benefits as well as a robust sustainability impact assessment including social, human rights and environmental impacts that the trade Agreement could have in Ireland and the Mercosur countries of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. As such, it is a considerable undertaking, which, unfortunately, has necessitated us running beyond the Q1 2021 deadline by which we had hoped to have the finalised report considered by Government and published.

As previously reported to the House, the detailed research and stakeholder consultations are concluded, and I have been informed that drafting of the actual Report itself is well advanced such that the Report is expected to be received by my Department in the coming weeks. It will be published as soon as possible after consideration by Government.

Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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135. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the economic and sustainability impact assessment of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement which is being conducted by his Department; the expected publication date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24152/21]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will recall that this Economic and Sustainability Impact Assessment consists of two important and complementary components, namely a comprehensive analysis of the potential economic benefits as well as a robust sustainability impact assessment including social, human rights and environmental impacts that the trade Agreement could have in Ireland and the Mercosur countries of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. As such, it is a considerable undertaking, which, unfortunately, has necessitated us running beyond the Q1 2021 deadline by which we had hoped to have the finalised report considered by Government and published.

Regarding the status of the report, as previously reported to the House, the detailed research and stakeholder consultations are concluded, and I have been informed that drafting of the actual Report itself is well advanced such that the Report is expected to be received by my Department in the coming weeks. It will be published as soon as possible after consideration by Government.