I thank Deputy Moynihan for raising this question on behalf of Deputy Smith who has, as Deputy Moynihan has said, a long and active interest in these areas. Next month marks the 51st anniversary of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, devastating acts of violence in which 34 people, including an unborn baby, were killed and hundreds of people were injured. At the memorial event to mark the 50th anniversary of the attacks last year in Dublin, I was honoured to lay a wreath remembering those who tragically lost their lives and to meet with families and survivors. I commend them on their courage and dignity since the attacks and throughout their quest for truth and justice. Our programme for Government clearly states our commitment to address the legacy of the conflict in this jurisdiction. We remain committed to uncovering the truth behind the bombings. The Dáil has unanimously supported four all-party motions calling on the British Government to allow access by an independent international judicial figure to all original documents relating to these atrocities. My predecessors and I have acted on those motions. The absence of a substantive response from the British side to date to requests for access to material is a matter of concern to me. I raised the issue with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland at our working dinner in Dublin on 26 February. We continue to make every effort to facilitate co-operation with legacy investigation bodies outside of this jurisdiction such as Operation Denton, the ongoing independent analytical review into the activities of what was known as the Glenanne gang. Operation Denton is examining these bombings among other atrocities. Extraordinary steps were taken in 2022 by the then Minister for Justice to put in place a bespoke mechanism to allow relevant information from An Garda Síochána to be shared with Operation Denton, which forms part of the Kenova body of work. The much-anticipated publication of Operation Denton's report is anticipated in the coming months. I sincerely hope these findings will shed new light on the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. I will continue to take forward the clearly expressed will of the House in respect of these attacks.
Sentiment score: 0.23
I thank Deputies Moynihan and Carthy. I will reiterate Deputy Moynihan's call in respect of Belturbet. I will also say very clearly that I expect all authorities to co-operate fully. That is why extraordinary steps were taken in 2022 by the then Minister for Justice to put in place a bespoke mechanism to allow relevant information from An Garda Síochána to be shared with Operation Denton. This assistance has been acknowledged, including by Sir Iain Livingstone, head of the Kenova review, who made reference to the high level of co-operation received from An Garda Síochána and the ongoing support of successive Irish governments. An Garda Síochána has also been assisting the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland in respect of Operation Newham which, due to its extremely broad-ranging nature, has been ongoing for a number of years. It is important to recall on the record of the House that the investigation into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings remains open in this jurisdiction. Any new evidence that comes to light from any source will be vigorously and fully pursued by An Garda Síochána. I hope the publication of the Operation Denton report will shed new light.
Sentiment score: 0.44
I join with Deputy Carthy in praising and commending Justice for the Forgotten and thanking it for its work. I assure him that, on behalf of the Irish Government and this House and in recognition of the mandate of the four all-party motions, I will continue to raise my voice at every opportunity in every engagement with the British Government, including the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, in respect of the absence of a substantive response to requests for access to material. That remains a matter of deep concern. More broadly and to Deputy Moynihan's point, we are committed to working with the British Government to fulfil our shared responsibilities as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement and to see if it is possible to develop a shared approach on legacy, which I really hope it is. There is now intensive and constructive work taking place at official and political level. I had a positive and substantive discussion on legacy with the Secretary of State last month at the Ireland-UK summit in Liverpool following our detailed discussions in Dublin in February. The programme for Government explicitly states our commitment to working with the British Government as well as with victims groups and political parties in Northern Ireland to develop a fit-for-purpose mechanism to achieve truth and justice.
Sentiment score: 0.58
This is obviously a similar question to the one I answered for the Deputy's party colleague, Deputy Ó Laoghaire, but I am happy to answer again. The programme for Government sets out a commitment to progress legislation regarding the occupied Palestinian territories following the July 2024 International Court of Justice advisory opinion. I was the Taoiseach who requested specific bespoke advice from the Attorney General once the ICJ gave its advisory opinion to see if there was a way forward to passing legislation. That enabled the Government to re-evaluate its position to see if progress could be made. As the Deputy will recall, the Government carried out an extensive analysis and review of the occupied territories Bill late last year. The Government's analysis was that substantive amendments would be required to most if not all of the Bill's provisions to bring it in line with our Constitution and to make sure we have legislation that has a decent chance of standing up to EU infringement procedures. I am sure we want to pass a Bill that can withstand those legal challenges. These considerations remain central to the Government's approach. I will meet Senator Black, as the sponsor of the Bill, next Tuesday to provide her with the most up-to-date information I have, to seek her views and to make a decision on how Government intends to proceed. Consistent with the position of the European Union, Ireland is clear that policies and measures that distinguish between the State of Israel and Israeli settlements, which are illegal under international law, do not constitute a boycott of the State of Israel. There is a clear differentiation between the State of Israel and Israeli settlements. That is recognised in the position paper published and unanimously agreed by all EU countries in advance of the EU-Israel association agreement council meeting which took place on 24 February, I believe. In parallel with following up at national level, Ireland continues to press for appropriate follow-up at EU level to the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice. I welcome that, at the recent association council meeting with Israel, the EU underlined its commitment to fully comply with international law and to implement legislation and technical arrangements applicable to settlement products accordingly. It is now important the EU also exercises due diligence and ensures its approach to settlement products is compliant with international law.
Sentiment score: 0.34
The answer is the same: I intend to bring forward legislation as outlined in the programme for Government in relation to the occupied Palestinian territories. The substance of that legislation will be a matter for scrutiny, discussion and decision by this and the other House. My next step is to meet the Senator who is the sponsor of the original occupied territories Bill. We have been in contact and have arranged to do that next Tuesday, I believe. In addition to that, the EU level is also important because of EU competencies in trade, which we have been discussing in the context of other issues. We continue to work at an EU level with like-minded countries, including Spain, on the differentiation between the State of Israel and the illegal Israeli settlements as outlined by the ICJ.
Sentiment score: -0.00
I am happy to discuss the content of the legislation when we publish it. I want to engage with the sponsor of the Bill. We have engaged in good faith. I think the Deputy was on the committee at the time when my predecessor, the now Taoiseach, was the Minister for Foreign Affairs. We have engaged in providing information. I want to take stock now of where that is at with the latest legal advice and opinions from my Department's legal people, the views of the Senator as the sponsor of the Bill and the commitment in the programme for Government. As I said to the Deputy's party spokesperson, I will update the House after I have had that meeting. I am happy to do so next week. I accept the Deputy's question is about the Israeli settlements. The reason I make the point is because the position of this country is regularly misrepresented internationally. We differentiate clearly between the State of Israel and the illegal Israeli settlements as outlined by the ICJ advisory opinion. The other point is that we need to go at this in a parallel way. Of course, there are options available to this country which we are pursuing, as per the Deputy's question. There is also work that can be done at an EU level. This document was agreed by all 27 member state and recognises the difference between the State of Israel and the illegal Israeli settlements.
Sentiment score: 0.24
I propose to take Questions Nos. 131, 144, 145, 150 and 157 together. I thank Deputy Boland for this question. I reiterate that I deeply regret the US decision to impose tariffs on steel, aluminium and derivative products from the EU and other trade partners, effective from 12 March last. I am also aware of the announcement by the US Administration on 26 March of its plans to introduce tariffs against the auto sector from 2 April. I met my counterpart from Slovakia in recent days, a country with a major car industry. We are all conscious in Ireland and across the European Union tonight that tomorrow there is a high likelihood President Trump will announce further potential action by the United States. I assure Deputy Boland and the people of this country that the EU will take necessary and proportionate action to defend the interests of Irish and European businesses, workers and citizens. We already announced our response to the steel and aluminium tariffs. Implementation work, including the fine-tuning of the announced countermeasures, is ongoing and it is currently planned that these will come into effect in mid-April. I welcome that the Commission has extended the implementation period because it is important to provide space for negotiation with the United States. We do not want tariffs. We want talks, not tariffs. We want engagement. It is important to emphasise that. It is essential the maximum use of that time is made. Close co-ordination with the European Commission will be essential in the period ahead. I will continue to remain in close contact with all stakeholders and our EU partners. Every opportunity for negotiation must be used. Ireland will advocate for an outcome which enhances the existing and strong transatlantic trading relationship. In my discussions at an EU level with the Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maroš Šefčovič, I have also conveyed Ireland's sensitivities with regard to the EU countermeasures currently under preparation. We need to be cognisant of potential additional retaliatory measures by the US and the impact they could have on the Irish and EU economy, including for the Irish beverages and dairy sectors. The Irish position is crystal clear. We want to avoid a series of escalating tariffs. They are economically counterproductive and would disrupt deeply integrated supply chains which benefit businesses and employers on both sides of the Atlantic. Tariffs drive inflation and hurt consumers. Increased protectionism is not in the interests of our citizens or businesses. I have also engaged with the US Administration. Last Monday into the early hours of Tuesday morning, I had a constructive and engaging call with the US secretary of commerce, Howard Lutnick. We agreed to keep in close contact. As I already told the House, I am chairing a meeting of the Government trade forum on an ongoing basis to bring together business stakeholders, State agencies and relevant Departments to share the best information and insights and plan a way forward. I will continue my engagement with all stakeholders here at home, the Commission, other EU trade ministers and the US Administration. I will attend the meeting of EU trade ministers on 7 April in Luxembourg. This will be a key meeting for us to collectively discuss the global trading landscape and how best to respond. This country remains committed to the principles of free and open trade which have underpinned our economic success. Free and open trade brings economic opportunities, creates well-paid jobs and fosters innovation. It builds economic resilience within a strong rules-based international trading system. I reiterate there still remains a window of opportunity for negotiation to reach agreement on the suspension of tariffs. President Trump seems intent on having his day tomorrow and making his announcements. That is up to him. We cannot control that. What needs to happen after that announcement is intensive engagement to find a way forward that is good for all of our people.
Sentiment score: 0.25
Deputy Boland is right on both fronts. We are very lucky that Maroš Šefčovič is the Commissioner. He is a very experienced Commissioner who knows this country well through his previous roles during the Brexit time. He is an engaging, consummate individual and he is in fairness already engaging with the US Administration. He was in DC last Monday. He spoke to the commerce secretary and met him just before I did and spoke to him on the telephone as well. The second point the Deputy is really right on is the effects on SMEs. There is rightly a lot of discussion on foreign direct investment, and we are going to continue to work to keep foreign direct investment. We do not take it for granted. However, foreign direct investment does not come to Ireland for the weather. It comes here because this is a good country in which to do business. It provides businesses with massive access to 450 million consumers right across the European Union, a skilled labour force, a stable Government and stable business policies. It is a good country in which to do business and I am going to keep making that point. However, SMEs do provide about 90% of employment in this country. It is actually why the Government needs to double down on some of our policy initiatives. It is why we campaigned in the recent general election to reduce the VAT rate, for example, in the hospitality sector. That needs to happen because more than ever now we are going to have to help our small and medium enterprises. There are two figures I will put on the record of the House. Around 32% of our exports head to the United States of America, but around 17% of our imports come from the United States of America. That area of imports will have to get attention in the days ahead. It is not just about what we are exporting but also about the supply chains, particularly for small indigenous companies in Ireland and what they rely on in terms of imports and the impact that can have on the cost of business and the cost of goods to consumers too.
Sentiment score: 0.21
I thank Deputy Aird. He is right, and before I get directly to the trade impact on agriculture and the work of the trade forum, it is why it is so important that we are going to do even more to support Irish agriculture because there is not a more indigenous industry than agriculture, agrifood and our farming sector. That is why will have to work together on a number of the issues the Deputy has been highlighting, whether it is nitrates, the next round of the Common Agricultural Policy or the simplification of all of those processes for our farmers. We will have to work very closely on those issues as well. As a small, highly globalised economy, it is of the utmost importance that we maintain a strategic focus on trade. That is why, in February, the Government agreed to my proposal to establish the trade forum. The aim of this is to provide a forum that will directly engage with key stakeholders across government, but also across the business community, on the latest and emerging trade and investment developments. In line with the transfer in responsibilities for trade policy to my Department in the programme for Government, I chair that forum. My intention is for the forum to meet regularly. We have already had two meetings. The first meeting took place on 26 February. A second meeting took place on 21 March to consider recent developments in the EU-US trading relationship. I have now convened a further meeting for this Friday to assess the announcements that are likely to come from the United States tomorrow. The Government trade forum considers the opportunities to further build on Ireland’s strong trade performance and the current and potential challenges. It focuses on the entirety of our country's trading relationships, including opportunities arising from EU trade agreements, new markets and consideration of how best to advance Ireland’s economic interests with our largest bilateral trading partners. I have directed officials in my Department to develop a comprehensive work programme to be elaborated on in close consultation with the forum members and this work is under way. Membership of the forum includes Ministers, senior officials from relevant Departments, senior business and sectoral representatives, including from relevant business representative groups and organisations, and senior leadership from our State agencies. Friday is an important opportunity with that forum to stock.
Sentiment score: 0.28
I very much agree with Deputy Aird. First, with regard to dairy, that is why, when we were looking at the list of tariffs that may be reactivated by the European Union, specifically in my submission to the European Commission on behalf of the Government I highlighted the dairy concern we had and also the drinks industry concern. On foot of what the Deputy said, I will make sure that in the work programme for the Government trade forum that specific issue around agriculture, agrifood and supply chains is addressed, including the issue of the tillage sector. As I said in my answer, the trade forum as we can imagine is right now most immediately looking at the US-EU trade relationship, but we have made it very clear that it is to look at the totality of Ireland's trading relationship, including ensuring that there is fair trade with regard to any future agreements. My concerns and the concerns of our party and the concerns of Government with regard to Mercosur in its current form are very clear. We made those commitments very clearly to the Irish Farmers Association, IFA, and farmers in advance of the election and they are very clearly expressed in the programme for Government.
Sentiment score: 0.51
I absolutely will. The principal purpose of the trade forum is to bring representative groups and relevant Ministers, Departments and agencies around the table. I am pleased to say that a full and permanent member of the trade forum is our Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Heydon. Also represented on that are his senior officials, the Secretary General of the Department of agriculture and the chief executive of Bord Bia, which obviously has an important relevance to this discussion as well. The purpose here is to enable the trading and exchanging of information and insight so that when we go to Europe, we can best protect Irish interests, Irish businesses and Irish farmers. I find it already in its relatively short time in existence to be a very valuable forum in making sure that everybody involved in Team Ireland, if I can use that phrase, is putting their best foot forward. I have to be honest with people - this is a turbulent and difficult time. We cannot control what the President of the United States decides he is going to do, but we can try to intelligently respond and build alliances across the European Union, and to do that we need to get the best insights from industry and from relevant Ministers, including the Minister for agriculture.
Sentiment score: 0.46
I thank Deputy Ó Cearúil for the question. My Department publishes advice for outward travel in respect of more than 200 countries and territories. The advice provides an objective assessment of the risks individuals could face if travelling overseas. This is done with a view to trying to help them to make informed decisions for themselves. The advice is based on consultation with our embassies and consulates on the ground, the relevant local authorities in each country and other partners as appropriate. On 24 March, in consultation with the embassy of Ireland in Washington DC, an update was issued for our United States of America travel advice. The advice page is visible to the public on our website at Ireland.ie/Travelwise. The substantive changes to the advice related broadly to US entry and immigration laws, and advice that failure to adhere to these laws can result in refusal of entry, detention or removal from the US. An update was also added with regard to transgender citizens and a US requirement that travellers should declare their sex on all visa application forms, which, according to the US authorities, should reflect what they term as the traveller's biological sex at birth.
Sentiment score: 0.08
If the Deputy wants to send me on details, I would be happy to use them as examples, albeit anonymised, with which to engage on this matter. As he rightly said, our two countries, Ireland and the United States, have deep and strong bilateral relations built on a rich foundation of ancestral ties. We have economic, diplomatic and political links, including the long-standing US support for peace on our island. Now more than ever, trying to support the continuation of those significant people-to-people links is a priority for the Government. We recognise the importance of travel to the continuation of those personal connections and relationships between our diaspora and this island. For anyone wishing to travel, I always recommend carrying out research on the destination, including on our website and social media channels. Our DFATravelWise service provides the latest updates. Citizens should be well informed about how my Department can help should they find themselves in any difficulty while overseas. The security status of the United States is currently set at normal precautions.
Sentiment score: 0.53
I propose to take Questions Nos. 135 and 136 together. I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I would like to reflect on it and come back to him with an informed view after I meet with Senator Black and my team in the Department to decide the best way to advance the commitment in the programme for Government. I acknowledge the Deputy's deep interest in this matter. I am deeply concerned by the negative trajectory of the situation on the ground in Palestine, Lebanon, where I was last week, and Israel over recent weeks. This remains a central focus of Ireland's foreign policy and my engagement with EU and international counterparts. Regarding the situation in Gaza, the immediate focus of the international community must be on bringing the violence to an end. When we had this conversation in the Dáil approximately six weeks ago, we were talking about a fragile ceasefire and one that was imperfect. That was absolutely the case. However, hostages were being released, the bombardment of citizens had stopped and aid was finally beginning to flow. How different and dark the situation is now, six weeks later. We need to get people back to the table for talks to get the second phase of the ceasefire and the hostage release deal in place. This matter is central to my engagement with EU partners. I welcome that the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, Kaja Kallas, conveyed a clear message to both Israel and Arab partners during her recent visit to the region. In particular, the call for the full implementation of the ceasefire and hostage release deal, including the release of all hostages, a permanent end to hostilities and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, was a timely and important message, which was conveyed by Kaja Kallas and Arab and Islamic partners following their meeting on 23 March. The situation on the ground is deeply shocking. I have condemned the resumption of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza and the new ground offensive. They have brought fresh suffering - that is too weak a word - to the people of Gaza and have breached the ceasefire. I am deeply concerned about Israel’s decision on 2 March to stop humanitarian aid and electricity supply to Gaza. It is a despicable decision that needs to be reversed. It continues to really worsen the humanitarian crisis. There must be an immediate resumption of humanitarian aid, at scale, to the people of Gaza. Irish taxpayers have sent aid to the region, which is currently in Jordan. It includes enough food and shelter for 6,000 people but we have been unable to get it into Gaza. On a more positive note, I welcome the recent agreement among Arab countries on a joint plan for the reconstruction of Gaza, which offers a realistic and sustainable path forward. Supporting the implementation of this plan will be a focus of my engagement with EU and international partners. I have met with my Egyptian, Jordanian and Palestinian counterparts to discuss these issues. To get to that point, we need a ceasefire and for the hostilities to stop. I remain extremely concerned about the security situation in southern Lebanon and the impact on civilians following the expiry of the ceasefire agreement on 18 February. The recent escalatory actions by Israel in southern Lebanon and Beirut in retaliation for rockets targeting northern Israel raises concern of a potential return to full-scale conflict. The continued presence of both Israeli and Hezbollah ground forces in the area and the exchange of airstrikes and missile attacks leave southern Lebanon very vulnerable to further conflict. I discussed the situation and these concerns with the Lebanese ministers for defence and foreign affairs during my visit to Lebanon last week. I also expressed our continued support, and the support of every Member of this House, for the incredible work and bravery of the men and women of Óglaigh na hÉireann who are part of the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon. I had the absolute honour to meet those 339 women and men of the Defence Forces. I thank them for the work they are doing in building peace in the region.
Sentiment score: 0.04
I am happy to take the details of the case Deputy Heneghan mentioned and to engage with him directly on it. I thank Deputy Callaghan for her service in Óglaigh na hÉireann and for her tour of duty. I am glad to have her in my party, on our team and in the Dáil, bringing her experience of having served in Lebanon. Just by visiting, I got an insight that is not even a fraction of what she would have experienced. That insight is very important when we have these discussions. The wish to be informed is why I wanted to go there last week. We see the devastation in that beautiful, scenic country, with its beautiful people, 4,000 of whom have been killed in the current phase of the conflict, including hundreds of children, with another 1,500 people injured. The Deputy is right that there is a real fragility to the situation. She is also right that what we have seen in recent days is a cause of huge concern. Here in Ireland and at the European and UN levels, we must call for a de-escalation and full implementation of the ceasefire. We also must support the new Lebanese Government. That new Government has given great cause for hope. Very substantive figures have been appointed to senior posts. I met the ministers for foreign affairs and defence. There is a new President and a new Prime Minister. Finally, a Government is in place. They need help as well. They have just agreed their new budget. That should hopefully show them a path of reform. It might open up channels with regard to IMF funding and the likes again, because we need to help the Government of Lebanon build up its public services and also build up the Lebanese Armed Forces, LAF. The primary purpose of UNIFIL being there is to support the LAF in protecting the peace, so we need to do everything we practically can to help this new government too.
Sentiment score: 0.30
On my trip to Lebanon, of course I took the opportunity to raise the case of Private Seán Rooney, a stark reminder of the 48 people who have lost their lives serving with Óglaigh na hÉireann on tours of duty in Lebanon. We think of Seán Rooney and his family and we continue in our quest for justice and truth. I raised that with the defence Minister and the foreign Minister. I handed over a letter on behalf of the Government. All the people involved need to be brought to justice. I accept the separation of powers that exists but still, it is absolutely essential that the Lebanese Government understands our deep frustration and disappointment at the lack of progress, to put it mildly, regarding this case. We expect and want to see progress on it.
Sentiment score: 0.16
I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 161 together. I thank Deputy Clendennen for this question, which is timely because now more than ever, at a time when some countries are choosing to look inwards, it is so important that Ireland continues to look outwards and increase our global footprint. Global Ireland 2025 was launched by the Government in 2018 with the aim of doubling Ireland’s footprint and impact by 2025. Under the strategy, Ireland’s diplomatic footprint has expanded significantly. We have gone from 73 to 100 bilateral missions, with the opening or announcement of 27 new missions. In March 2024, new diplomatic missions were announced, including embassies in Belgrade and Sarajevo and consulates general in Málaga and Melbourne. These missions are scheduled to be fully operational by 2027. There has been additional strengthening of strategically important diplomatic missions, including in Berlin, Brussels, London, Paris and Washington DC. Over 20 State agency offices were also opened over this period in addition to strong consolidation of the Ireland House model, where we co-locate Ireland's embassy or mission with a relevant State agency, such as the IDA or Enterprise Ireland. We have most recently opened Ireland Houses in New York and Stockholm and I am pleased to confirm that a new Ireland House in Tokyo will open in the coming weeks. The benefits of co-locating Team Ireland under one roof are enormous. I have seen this at first hand. To have everybody working on the ground - IDA, Tourism Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, the ambassador and the embassy - under one roof really does make a difference. We have set out our commitment in the programme for Government to further developing this Ireland House model. The programme for Government commits the Government to further strengthening Ireland’s place in Europe and around the world. Under this, the Government will develop a new strategy called Global Ireland 2040, which will further enhance our place and influence in international affairs, including ever-deeper relationships with our European partners. Some preparatory work has commenced on this and we will start by reviewing the final outputs from Global Ireland 2025. The new strategy will be designed and delivered as a whole-of-government approach to Ireland's engagement with the world. Consideration to the location of more potential new missions will be based on an analysis of how they might contribute to the promotion of our economic interests, our values in a changing and uncertain international landscape, the promotion of our culture and building stronger bridges with our diaspora. When it comes to the United States of America, from my memory, and I think I am right, we are second only to France in terms of the number of consulates we have there. That is going to serve us in good stead as we continue to build our people-to-people links, our economic links and our links with individual states. We are second only to France, which is not bad for a country, in this jurisdiction, of just 5.6 million people. That is a sign of the investment we have put into our diplomatic footprint. As well as opening new missions, which is important and we will be doing more and are committed to doing more, expanding the existing missions in a strategic and intelligent way is important. When I was Minister for higher education, I made the point that we need to have talent attachés located in key areas who could work with universities and the research and innovation communities to build links between universities, encourage student mobility and encourage more of the best and brightest to work on ideas. I am delighted that now we are seeing the first two talent attachés, one located in San Francisco and the other in Washington DC. Both of them are going to be in place this year.
Sentiment score: 0.33
Deputy Clendennen is so right. Not only should we be extraordinarily proud of our diaspora, as we are, but as a country we have done quite a good job of keeping the links and investing. Other countries ask Ireland about our diaspora strategies and how they can learn from and work with us on that. Ours is one of the few countries that has an emigrant support programme, where we provide relatively small sums of money to diaspora programmes abroad. It makes a real impact on them. I am very proud to see that when I go abroad. I also want to take the opportunity that Deputy Clendennen's question presents and pay tribute to the men and women who represent us overseas. I mean this very sincerely. I am always very proud when I travel abroad representing Ireland. We turn up as Ministers, taoisigh and tánaistí. We are often there for an event, or the Ceann Comhairle is. We come in and do the event and it is all very pleasant, we work hard and then we go home. The men and women who are there all the time represent Ireland in good times and bad, in challenging and sometimes dangerous environments, speaking up for Ireland and our values, and being there at times of great celebration and jubilation but also times of great tragedy. I am often struck by the very positive feedback I often get from citizens of this country on how they experienced Ireland through the form of our diplomats and local teams at times of tragedy, bereavement or loss. I want to say, I am sure on behalf of all of us, a huge "go raibh míle maith agaibh" to everybody who works in our diplomatic missions right across the world. I know they can work in far-flung parts of this world. We are very proud of all that they do.
Sentiment score: 0.26
Deputy Clendennen is so right. That regional aspect is important to all that we do, making sure that we drive jobs and investment but also cultural and people-to-people links, not just with the big cities but also with the regions of Ireland and counties like Offaly. I would be very happy to work with the Deputy, chambers of commerce, Offaly County Council and others on how we might explore that as well. When I was out in Philadelphia and New York for the St. Patrick's Day period, there was a great sense of pride of many local authorities there representing their county. That is important too. That building of those people-to-people links, that diaspora and that huge sense of pride that people abroad have, not just of being from Ireland but exactly where they or where their grandmother was from in Ireland, are things that we should never take for granted. The Deputy is right. As we enter this challenging period economically, we should look to strengthen the people-to-people links even further and build up those regional and local links economically and culturally. That is important, and I look forward to working with the Deputy on that.
Sentiment score: 0.34
I propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 151 together. Last month, I had the honour of visiting and representing the Government in the iconic Irish-American cities of Philadelphia and New York. I was delighted to join Mayor Cherelle Parker and the people of Philadelphia to march in their St. Patrick's day parade. I met with a number of community groups and laid a wreath at the Philadelphia Irish Famine memorial. I had high-level discussions with members of Congress from Pennsylvania, including Congressman Brendan Boyle and Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon, and I met with a range of exciting businesses with links to Ireland keen to see their business grow. I was struck by the Irish companies I met, including one from my home county of Wicklow, doing business in Philadelphia, as well as companies from Philadelphia doing business in Ireland, again demonstrating that two-way economic relationship. In New York, I renewed important political relationships with Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams and Congressman Mike Lawler. It was a privilege to walk with the governor and lead the world-famous 5th Avenue St. Patrick's Day parade. I represented the Government at events in St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the New York Irish Arts Centre, which is an incredible testament to the arts and cultural links between New York and Ireland. It was absolute privilege to be in New York at a time when the whole city was celebrating Ireland's diaspora and culture. My programme, as the Deputy can imagine, had a particular focus on engaging with strategic economic actors with global influence. This was motivated not only by the importance of our economic relationship with the United States, but also concern around the volatility and disruption caused by the threat of tariffs. At the Bank of Ireland hub in New York, I met young Irish innovators from the digital Irish network and discussed how the Government can support innovation and entrepreneurship. I also had an intensive programme of meetings with senior corporate decision-makers. These meetings focused on transatlantic trade, the impact of tariffs and the importance of maintaining Ireland's international competitiveness and attractive investment environment. I was reassured that the many senior corporate leaders with whom I engaged share my goal of protecting and deepening the mutually beneficial economic relationship between Ireland and the United States. While the overall transatlantic economic environment is in an uncertain period, I returned from my visit convinced that St. Patrick’s Day remains not only a unique opportunity to celebrate Irish culture and recognise our diaspora, but also a platform to promote Ireland's trade and economic interests, in particular in the United States.
Sentiment score: 0.35
I thank Deputies Boland and Ó Murchú. Their questions overlap. With regard to what we heard from the business community and what we can do, there are a couple of things. I was struck by the great sense of uncertainty, even from very senior business leaders in the United States who are, no more than the rest of us, waiting to see the level of detail. It was good to get an insight from them in terms of the economic environment in the United States. There is certainly some downward pressure on the US economy. There is a working assumption that we are about to enter a very turbulent period in terms of tariffs. The President is very determined on that agenda. There was not a huge amount of certainty at that stage as to the precision or level of detail that one hopes and expects to at least see in the coming days in order that we can work out how to best respond. There was a sense of controlling what we can control. Deputies Ó Murchú and Boland made the point regarding what we can do in terms of our economy, our competitiveness and listening to the companies that have decided to base themselves. They have done so for a good reason but what do they now need in future in terms of their investment strategies? We need to keep engaging. I want to be very clear on this so that we are not misrepresented. We are proud members of the European Union. We will put on not just the green jersey but also the blue jersey of Europe - not the blue shirt now but the blue jersey. The Deputy should not be getting too worried. That was an attempt at a joke at this late hour of the night.
Sentiment score: 0.23
While engaging and negotiating as part of the European Union, we need to continue to engage with the US Administration and to take every opportunity to share information. I genuinely believe - and I say this respectfully - the relationship is much more complex and interdependent than is sometimes articulated by the US Administration. It is much more interdependent, two-way and bilateral. We will continue to proactively engage with the US Administration, which is why I spoke to Secretary Rubio and Secretary Lutnick, and I was very pleased to do so.
Sentiment score: 0.50
I thank Deputy Ó Murchú for the question. I hope we can share the same view on this across this House. The programme of passport service reform has been very impressive. I was in Balbriggan with Deputy Boland recently. I am very proud of the work being done in the passport office there and in other passport offices. The Passport Office has come through the Covid pandemic and managed to reform the service. I meet a lot of people who are extraordinarily impressed by the speed at which they now get their passport, so go raibh maith agaibh to all those working in the passport service. The Deputy is right that the reform agenda needs to continue. We are eager that it does. Better streamlining processes and continuing to work more closely with An Garda Síochána and the Department of Justice on all of these issues to tease them through is certainly a sensible suggestion. I undertake to specifically raise that issue with the head of the Passport Office and come back to the Deputy directly. I know there has been engagement on how we can make processes work even better. I will be happy to revert to the Deputy on the matter.
Sentiment score: 0.38
I would like to see progress on the issue of reminders. I am sure the gardaí would like to see that too, to make the process as efficient as possible for everybody. I will follow up on that directly. I echo the Deputy's request that everybody check their passport. We do our very best at times when people need to travel at short notice. It can happen to anybody for reasons of bereavement or other things. Our systems are quite good at trying to respond in a compassionate way. We continue to strive to do as best we can. For the rest of us who need the passport to go on holiday, the advice is very clear, to please check your passport before you book travel, and do not be that person who has to turn around to a relative and say you forgot to do that or forgot to update the kid's passport, with all the trouble that will bring you.
Sentiment score: 0.46
So please check your passport. Maybe in that moment of harmony, we can conclude.
Sentiment score: 0.39
I have respect to the sensitivity of the issue. The issue relates to my other Department, the Department of Defence. I am aware that the Department is in direct contact with the Rooney family. We will continue to do that. I made it clear to the Lebanese authorities that the family intends to travel for the trial and it is important that there is real progress. We will keep in touch about the matter.
Sentiment score: 0.22