The Supreme Court ruled in November 2022 that the EU–Canada Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) could only be ratified if changes were made to the Arbitration Act 2010.

The central issue in the case was the agreement’s provision for the establishment of an investor tribunal with powers to make binding and enforceable awards which are unreviewable by national courts.

The EU and Canada have provisionally applied CETA since 2017 as the process of national ratification takes place across all member states.

Ministers yesterday agreed plans to bring forward the Arbitration (Amendment) Bill 2025, which will amend the 2010 Act to 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.

Tánaiste and minister for foreign affairs and trade Simon Harris 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.”