Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 March 2026
92. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on the progress towards ratification of the EU-Canada Comprehensive and Economic Trade Agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22885/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe ratification of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada and the EU (‘CETA’) is a priority for Government and an important part of Ireland’s diversification strategy, reducing concentration risk among our trading partners. The ratification of CETA is also a key priority for Canada which has been repeatedly raised with Ireland by Canadian partners.
CETA is a mixed agreement, requiring ratification by every EU Member State. The part that deals with tariffs and trade over which the EU has exclusive competence has been applied provisionally since September 2017. This allows Irish companies to take advantage of the beneficial terms of the Agreement and the new market opportunities it provides. Since 2017, trade has increased from €3.2 billion to more than €12 billion, supporting thousands of jobs and benefiting large and small businesses and people the length and breadth of our country.
CETA has been ratified by 17 of the 27 Member States. Areas over which Member States have competence – in particular, investor-state dispute settlement – have delayed the ratification of CETA in Ireland. In November 2022, the Irish Supreme Court ruled that the ratification of CETA would infringe the Constitution as Irish law stands. However, the judgement did offer a legal avenue that could be permissible under the Constitution which would involve amending the Arbitration Act 2010.
The Government is currently progressing the Arbitration (Amendment) Bill 2025 in Dáil Éireann as part of ongoing efforts to take forward ratification of CETA. The Bill will amend the Arbitration Act 2010, providing a new procedure in Irish law for the enforcement of awards made by tribunals established under international agreements containing investment dispute resolution provisions to address concerns identified by the Supreme Court in the Costello judgments.
On 1 December 2025, the Bill was published to the Oireachtas website. On 9 December, I debated the Bill at the Second Stage debate in Dáil Éireann. The Bill is currently at Committee Stage in the Dáil.
Following enactment of the legislation, I and Government colleagues will take the necessary steps to proceed towards ratification of CETA, in line with the programme for Government commitment.
