Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is important that I respond honestly to the Deputy. We are doing quite a lot. The Deputy has just heard my statement, including on the actions the EU is taking. Ultimately, the reach and power of the US is very significant, particularly in that region. Cuba is very close to the United States. Many companies that may seek to trade with Cuba will also, in all likelihood, be trading into the US. We should not pretend we can simply bypass this Act and the approach the US has taken. These pose real difficulty but the EU is trying to give as much cover and support as it can to companies that want to legitimately trade with Cuba. We do not agree that the approach the US is taking, for which it has its own reasons, is effective or appropriate in 2019. We will continue to make that case and do what we can in practical terms to support companies that want to trade with Cuba.

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