Patrick Costello wins Ceta constitutionality challenge

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Green Party TD Patrick Costello won his challenge to Ireland’s proposed ratification of the EU-Canada Ceta trade deal, with the Supreme Court ruling that the Constitution precludes ratification under current Irish law. The decision was reported on 11 November 2022.

The court ruled unanimously that ratification was not an obligation required by EU membership and could therefore be challenged constitutionally. Costello had argued that the deal should be put to a referendum and could affect the State’s ability to regulate, particularly on environmental matters.