Barry Ward
Question:135. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the position regarding the status of the European Energy Investment Treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70040/25]
View answerTuesday, 9 December 2025
Questions (135)
Written answers
Ireland has begun the process of formal withdrawal from the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) in a coordinated manner alongside other EU Member States, following negotiations as part of a bloc, led by the EU Commission.
Each Member State has different rules regarding treaties, both the joining and exiting of them. In Ireland’s case, a decision to withdraw from an international treaty, such as the Energy Charter Treaty, is a matter of executive power under Article 29 of the Irish Constitution and will require a Government Decision.
Given her formal role in international treaties, a Memorandum to Government regarding the formal exit from the Treaty will be brought by my colleague the Minister for Foreign Affairs and this decision will formally end Ireland’s membership. My officials are working with the Department of Foreign Affairs to expedite this process.
The Government is committed to exiting the ECT as soon as is practicable, and the relevant Memorandum is expected to be brought to Government in the near future.
Ireland is still a member of the Treaty and will remain so until we officially leave. The modernised treaty provides for less exposure to investor claims than the original treaty, and the modernised Treaty is available to view on the ECT website. However, the Government's position remains that Ireland will exit the Treaty.