3.1 EU Free Trade Agreements

3.1 EU Free Trade Agreements

In addition to the global efforts supported by the enterprise agencies of the Department, key to Ireland’s success in growing our exports and attracting foreign investment has been our commitment to trade liberalisation in order to open new markets for our indigenous sectors. With a small domestic market, further expansion in other markets is essential to our continued economic growth and, in this regard, Ireland continues to support the EU’s ambitious programme of negotiating new Free Trade Agreements, which open new markets for Irish companies and increase export and investment opportunities.

The European Union negotiates Trade Agreements with other countries, or trading blocs, on behalf of EU Member States. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, having regard to its responsibility for the identification, formulation and development of Ireland’s international trade policy, represents and promotes Ireland’s interests in discussions which the European Commission initiates with Members States when proposing to open trade negotiations with third countries. The Department conducts appropriate stakeholder consultations in advance of such negotiations to ensure that the interests of Irish industry, trade unions and sectoral representative groups are carefully considered. These stakeholder consultations include specific regional issues and opportunities.

Prior to commencing negotiations with a potential Trade Agreement partner, the EU conducts impact assessments which are designed to assess whether a trade agreement is the best way to improve trade relations with a specific partner country and what issues should be covered in a negotiation. The EU also conducts analyses of the impact of individual trade agreements once they are in force. These reports can cover the economic, social, human and labour rights and environmental aspects of the deal. Sectoral specific impacts are tracked and documented as part of these reports.