Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We did not speak about the border adjustment tax specifically. It was a short call and we sketched an agenda for a meeting that we will most likely have in March. I mentioned Ireland's commitment to free trade and the fact that we are a country that believes in and is committed to continuing free trade. I took the opportunity to mention to President Trump that Ireland is the seventh biggest inward investor into the United States. People often think it is all one way with US companies setting up in Ireland and employing staff. I mentioned there are over 700 Irish companies that have invested in the United States and are a big inward investor into that country. I indicated that Irish companies employ Americans in all 50 states. We need to start talking a little more about that and reminding people in the United States who may be opposed to free trade that it is a two-way process and they benefit from it as well.

Deputy Deasy's appointment is an innovation and I am not sure if it has been done before in Ireland. It is not unusual in other countries for governments to appoint special representatives or special envoys.

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