Minister McEntee welcomes announcement of EU-Australia Trade Deal

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD, welcomed the announcement on Tuesday 24 March by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Australian Prime Minister Albanese that the EU and Australia have concluded negotiations a Free Trade Agreement.

Speaking after the announcement, Minister McEntee said: “As Ireland and Australia celebrate eighty years of diplomatic relations, I welcome that Australia and the EU have concluded negotiations on the FTA. The Australian market is an attractive option for Irish exports and this trade deal will deliver areas of tariff reduction that will benefit Irish industry across a wide range of sectors, while also opening the Australian services market to the EU.”

The Minister added: “More than ever, in the face of unprecedented global economic uncertainty, it is important for Ireland and the EU to diversify our markets with new, reliable global partners. This trade deal represents a great opportunity for Irish firms to do just that. I am very keen to see the Irish-Australian trade and economic relationship fulfil its potential. It is estimated that EU exports to Australia will increase by 33% over the next decade and Irish companies will be at the heart of this.”

Minister McEntee and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will continue to engage with the European Commission and advocate for Irish interests, including agricultural interests, as the Free Trade Agreement is finalised in the coming months. As the final details of the agreement are still emerging, officials will be in very close contact with the Commission to assess the overall agreement.