The Government is to speed up ratification of the European Union-Canada trade deal – known as Ceta [Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement] – which was shelved in a Supreme Court judgment during 2022.
The trade agreement was the subject of a legal challenge from then Green Party TD Patrick Costello, with the Supreme Court finding the government’s approach was unconstitutional and forcing the previous coalition to pause its plan to ratify the deal.
Minister for Trade Simon Harris will update the Cabinet on the latest developments in trade, including negotiations between the EU and the United States – and his plan to accelerate the ratification of the Ceta deal.
He will tell the Cabinet that his department has prepared draft laws which officials believe will address the issues in the Supreme Court ruling. It is intended to bring a memo to Cabinet by the end of May.
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It is understood that the proposed approach would enable ratification of Ceta and also other EU-third country agreements which involve investor-State arbitration schemes – the feature of Ceta opponents resisted most strongly.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin will brief ministers on the latest report from the National Economic and Social Council (NESC), which provides him with strategic policy advice. The report reviews compact growth in the State.
It recommends a review of development incentives to provide stronger incentives for brownfield development and advises more flexible rent controls to support increased supply.
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The NESC also says there should be more investment in cost-rental homes, and measures to seek reductions in the cost of building houses and apartments.
Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan will bring a miscellaneous Bill which will enable greater use of remote hearings and electronic documents in criminal trials.
It will also contain measures to address severe prison overcrowding and an associated increase in violent incidents, and amend the law on the disclosure of counselling notes in sexual offence trials. The same Bill will extend Covid-era laws allowing outdoor seating for licensed premises for another six months.
Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke will brief the Cabinet on plans for trade diversification, including reviewing supports for Irish small firms – and the consideration of a weeklong trade mission led by the Taoiseach in November, with the destination yet to be decided.
Minister for Culture Patrick O’Donovan will bring the National Museum’s annual report and an update on the implementation of the Government’s Creative Youth plan, as well as a joint memorandum with Mr Harris on sports diplomacy.
[ Taoiseach says Ceta ruling shows referendum not required to ratify trade dealOpens in new window ]
Meanwhile, Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler and Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill will brief Cabinet on new figures regarding suicide rates. They will say that the rate has reduced by a quarter and the State is now 11th lowest in the EU.
Ms Butler intends to finalise a new strategy to reduce suicide and self-harm by the end of this year.
Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe and Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers will brief the Cabinet on the new annual progress report – the first significant event in the pre-budget calendar.
The report sets out revised macroeconomic projections. And its forecasts were calibrated on the assumption of no transatlantic trade tariffs being introduced – and the baseline presumes a deal will be done between the EU and Donald Trump. But the document also sets out an alternative with a 10 per cent tariff between the US and the rest of the world, and 60 per cent on Chinese goods.
Minister for Higher Education James Lawless will tell Cabinet he intends to sign a joint declaration by EU science ministers on quantum technologies, which are used in a variety of sectors including healthcare, climate modelling and digital security.
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon will outline Ireland’s priorities for the post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy negotiations. Minister for Energy Darragh O’Brien will update the Government on plans for the State’s next renewable energy auction, to begin in May and run in September this year.
