124. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline all engagements he has had with the Trump Administration in regard to its announcement of pharmaceutical tariffs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15825/25]

Sentiment score: 0.06

On the eve of what we are expecting tomorrow, I would like an update on our engagement with the US Administration on the proposed tariffs that are coming into play tomorrow.

Sentiment score: 0.78

The complexity of global supply chains is not lost on this side of the Atlantic Ocean. I am sure it is not lost on the other side either, even though the policies that the US Administration intends to introduce will be blunt and damaging. Approximately 77,500 people are directly employed in the pharmaceutical and medical devices industry in this country, although it is not going to be the only industry impacted if the tariffs go ahead. We have a concern about our drinks industry as well as many others. Key to the so-called Liberation Day, another grotesquely titled set piece in what is only a ten-week-old Trump Presidency, is that it has the capacity to do great damage to our economy. Between 50,000 and 80,000 jobs could be at risk, through either not being created or not being kept. These figures are from the Minister for Finance. While trade is an EU competency, is there anything distinctly Irish that we can do or are doing to help mitigate the effect of the tariffs?

Sentiment score: 0.09

In fairness to the Tánaiste, I recognise his productivity in engaging on Irish exports to the US economy and on putting such an effort into the St. Patrick’s Day visits over the course of a week in the US. Across all levels, from local government right up, this has been very important. There is no appetite for hysteria here regarding what is going to happen tomorrow. No one wants that. However, we will need to be very reactive to it. I am aware that the Tánaiste is to have meetings on Friday. Does he have anything planned for next week from a parliamentary point of view or in terms of further briefings and debates we can have here, because 77,500 people are directly employed in the pharmaceutical industry? Many of us have friends and family in the industry. The companies are big employers in our communities and there is great concern. They will want to see leadership from the Minister and the rest of the Government in response to whatever happens on the White House lawn tomorrow at 4 p.m.

Sentiment score: 0.09