Tánaiste brings Memo to Government on the Ratification of CETA

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Harris today (27 May 2025) received Cabinet approval for changes to be made to the Arbitration Act (2010) that will pave the way for the ratification of CETA (EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement).

The EU and Canada have provisionally applied CETA since 2017 as the process of national ratification takes place across all Member States. This has allowed Irish companies to take advantage of the beneficial terms of the Agreement and the new market opportunities it has provided.

Canada is a key export market for Ireland, particularly for our indigenous exporters, with more than 400 Enterprise Ireland clients doing business in the Canadian market. In 2024, Ireland’s goods exports to Canada stood at €4.1 billion, more than a fourfold increase (436%) on the pre-CETA export levels of €0.9 billion in 2016.

Speaking after today’s Cabinet meeting in Government Buildings, the Tánaiste said:

“CETA is an important part of Ireland’s diversification story, particularly post-Brexit and against the volatility of US tariffs and the uncertainty in the global trading environment.”

He added:

“The ratification of CETA is a Programme for Government commitment that I am determined to deliver. It is good for Canada, good for the EU and good for Ireland.”

The Arbitration (Amendment) Bill 2025 will propose the necessary amendments to the Arbitration Act (2010) that will allow for the ratification of CETA and other similar Free Trade Agreements with third countries that include investment protection provisions, including Singapore, Vietnam, Chile and Mexico.