Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

175. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the up-to-date position regarding the free-trade agreement between the EU and Qatar. [29170/25]

Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

177. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the up-to-date position regarding the free-trade agreement between the EU and Saudi Arabia. [29172/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 177 together.

The Government remains committed to free, fair and open trade while protecting Ireland’s interests in international trade deals. Our EU membership makes us part of the growing network of EU Free Trade Agreements, supporting more opportunity for exports and investment, helping support jobs and growth at home, maintaining strict EU standards on food safety, animal and plant health, and supporting better environmental and human rights standards around the world.

At the moment, there are no active Free Trade Agreement negotiations with either Qatar or Saudi Arabia. However, more broadly, Ireland continues to engage with the European Commission and other EU Member States on the possibility of Strategic Partnership Agreements (SPAs) with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, which include Qatar and Saudi Arabia. SPAs would facilitate stronger ties with GCC countries but at the level of non-preferential trade provisions.

I wish to assure the Deputy that my officials and I will continue to monitor any developments in relation to potential agreements with Qatar or Saudi Arabia.