126. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline his current priorities in terms of Irish-US relations, with particular regard to Irish-US economic interests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15543/25]

Sentiment score: 0.09

Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle. I appreciate that. I was listening to the debate on a similar matter between the Tánaiste and Deputy Smith. I do not think there is any desire for histrionics or panic anywhere in the Chamber, but we could be facing a sobering situation tomorrow, and it is no exaggeration to say that there are workers who have been listening to the media over the last few days in multinational companies, particularly American companies, right across Ireland who are very concerned. It is vitally important we have a very carefully and comprehensively thought through response.

Sentiment score: 0.14

Obviously, a significant part of this, and something that could, depending on the sector that people are in, have as much an impact on Irish workers and Irish jobs as the American tariffs, will be the potential for retaliatory action by the European Union. I understand that the process led by the Commission invited member states to submit their observations and lists, for want of a better word, in terms of the key industries and sectors that they would be concerned about and outlining their view of how best to proceed with retaliatory tariffs. I expect that the Minister has submitted that. Will that be published as regards outlining what precisely the ask of the Irish Government of the European Commission was in terms of what sectors we are focused on? I ask the Minister to respond on that at this point.

Sentiment score: 0.28

We are obviously not in a position to control precisely what Donald Trump will do, but there are things, coming off the back of this, that we can do on a simple, practical level. It is known to us which companies are exporting to the United States. That is information we have. It seems to me that it is possible that the State contacts all those companies off the back of this and identifies from discussions with them precisely what is needed in terms of supports. It seems obvious that there will be a need for mitigation measures and supports of the kind that were seen during Brexit for businesses. Obviously, that will have to be tailored off the back of whatever announcements are made, but what is the level of preparations that have been made? It remains the case that Irish exports are very concentrated in the English-speaking world. Some progress has been made in some markets, but the truth is that there are many markets we could be exporting a great deal more to that we are not, and we need to hear an outline of the strategy as to how that will be attacked.

Sentiment score: 0.28