Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 September 2026
199. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline the potential advantages and the operational nature of the proposed Associate Membership of the European Union for Canada. [68531/26]
View answerThe EU-Canada relationship is strong, based on a long history of close cooperation and shared values. We greatly value Canada’s leadership and support across a broad range of political, foreign, and security policy issues, particularly Ukraine and the Middle East.
Through the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA), the Strategic Partnership Agreement, security agreements, and participation in EU programmes, Canada enjoys one of the most advanced bilateral relationships of any third country with the EU.
Ireland has sought to promote closer EU-Canada relations during our Presidency of the Council of the European Union. This has included Canadian Ministers attending Informal Ministerial Council meetings, including the recent informal meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers or Gymnich held in Ireland. In addition, in June this year the Taoiseach was able to welcome Prime Minister Carney on a visit to Ireland.
The Government welcomes President von der Leyen’s proposal for stepping up engagement with like-minded partners, including Canada. In a challenging geopolitical and geo-economic environment, working together with close partners is clearly in our common interests. We look forward to the strengthening of the EU-Canada relationship, based on a long history of close cooperation and shared values.
The full details of that future relationship, including exploring the idea of associate membership, will, of course, need to be developed and considered further by the EU.
