Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I welcome that he put on record the fact that Irish companies provide a significant amount of employment in the US. The employment provided by US companies in our country is also welcome.

I am glad the High Representative has raised this matter with the Secretary of State. A timeline should be set for her to revert to each member state of the EU with a reply. At EU level, the system is often slow to respond, but this issue should not be allowed to drift.

The Minister of State mentioned that the Government had expressed its concerns to the US Embassy at a senior official level. Have these concerns been conveyed by our officials, the Tánaiste or a Minister of State? It should be done at political level, pending the appointment of a new ambassador.

The Minister of State rightly referred to the potential for a US-EU trade agreement. From an Irish and EU point of view, this involves sensitive issues, given the agrifood sector and the need to protect the livestock industry. In any trade negotiation, each member state and trade bloc must carry out a great deal of policy work and strategising. The talks will continue for a considerable time. It is important that a clear message be sent, namely, that surveillance is not acceptable. All 28 EU member states deserve a clear reply from the US to the effect that there will be no breach of confidence in the long-standing and good working relationship shared by our two major trading blocs. Many EU member states have a large number of emigrants in the US. We have had a cordial and important economic relationship.

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