Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 April 2026
290. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the timeline for the presentation of a Memo to Cabinet regarding Ireland's withdrawal from the Energy Charter Treaty; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25006/26]
View answerAs with all Memoranda for Government concerning Ireland’s participation in international agreements, a proposed decision to withdraw from an international agreement is brought to Government by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.
At the request of the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, I brought a Memorandum to Cabinet on 24 March 2026 seeking authority for Ireland to withdraw from the Energy Charter Treaty. In 2023, the European Commission proposed that the EU and its Member States, along with Euratom, should withdraw from the ECT in a coordinated manner. The Energy Charter Treaty is not aligned with the principles of the Paris Agreement and it is considered appropriate that Ireland, like other EU Member States, withdraw from the Treaty, in line with the recommendations of the Commission.
Following the Cabinet meeting of 24 March 2026, the subsequent Government decision authorised the withdrawal of Ireland from the Energy Charter Treaty.
My officials are now in the process of preparing documentation to allow for Ireland to formally withdraw from the Treaty and we expect this process to be finalised in early course. Pursuant to Article 47(2) of the Energy Charter Treaty, withdrawal from the Treaty will take effect one year after the date of receipt of the notification by the Depositary.
