CETA ratification
Deputy Stanton asked what legislative changes are needed to allow CETA to be ratified after the Supreme Court ruling. Minister Simon Coveney said the Government intends to ratify it in a way consistent with the judgment and is taking legal advice.
Just over a year ago, on 11 November 2022, the Supreme Court stated the Constitution precluded the Government from ratifying the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, CETA, between the EU and Canada. It also ruled that it could be ratified if certain changes were made to the Arbitration Act 2010. What are the plans to make those changes? Is there a timescale for same?
Comment on this
My Department is looking at ways in which we can respond to the court judgment from a legal perspective. It certainly is the intention of the Government to ratify CETA but we have to do it in a way that is consistent with the court judgment that has been made. We are considering that and taking advice on it as we speak.