Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. O'Brien for being with us today. In his opening statement, he said that he recognises what he is representing is only one aspect of what the committee is looking at and will need to consider. He is correct. It is only one aspect but it is an important aspect that we need to consider because there is no doubt that we are navigating very complex moral, legal, diplomatic and economic terrain. We have to consider all in the balance of it. It is important to note that the Taoiseach has stated we should try not to disadvantage Ireland in the way we move forward.

With regard to the direct impacts Mr. O'Brien has spoken about, he has provided the value of the goods and has also said that he cannot give an amount with regard to services, were they to be included. Does he have any idea of the number of Irish or multinational companies that would be impacted? Rather than the financial amount, does he have any idea of the number of companies that would be impacted by measures on goods and the number impacted if services were to be included?