Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I have a number of questions for the Tánaiste regarding the EU, foreign affairs, trade and Covid-19. Before that, I would like to mention the ongoing situation in the US and the societal implications of racism at home and abroad.

The Green Party stands in solidarity with all those who have experienced racism and oppression. The horrific killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis brought into the light an ugly truth that people of colour know all too well, namely, that racism is alive and well in the world in which we live, not just in America, but at home here in Ireland.

In light of this terrible event and others like it, we must examine our own words and actions towards minority communities. We must not accept conditions for those in direct provision or members of the Traveller community that are less than those we would accept for our own families. Everyday casual racism has led to an othering of these communities, a dehumanisation that leads to violent incidents and, in some cases, killings just like that of George Floyd.

I thank the many groups across this country who have come forward with words of support and education, showing us how best to become allies to migrants and people of colour. It is not enough to pay lip-service. Where we see racism, we must call it out. Those in a position to effect change must do so.

I wish to ask about the EU and trade matters. Yesterday, a briefing from Mr. Andreas Schwarz of the Directorate-General for Budget outlined the agreement and direction for a substantial budget comprising a €540 billion package for pandemic support and €750 billion for crisis repair and recovery. Given the urgent liquidity needs of the SME sector throughout Ireland, the shutdown costs that have depleted capital in that sector and the need to support the more than 1 million people employed throughout, to what extent has Ireland availed of the EU pandemic support package and what is proposed to support SMEs during this crisis?

The sector needs urgent and decisive action on liquidity and solvency support. Has the Government assessed the scale of support needed to reflect the serious issues facing SMEs and their employees?

In the context of the €750 billion budget for the EU recovery plan, known as Next Generation EU, has the Government undertaken research into potential uses of this funding for large-scale projects that focus on decarbonising our society, the digital economy, transport, housing, health, research and development, and energy, which can create long-term sustainable jobs and offer superior economic characteristics? Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, ISIF, sought to develop housing, promote climate action and respond to Brexit. Has the pandemic stabilisation and recovery fund compromised the achievement of these goals? Has Covid-19 expenditure had an impact on or depleted the Brexit-related financial supports for business?

The EU Commission announced recently that it will introduce legislation next year on mandatory human rights and environment due diligence in EU companies' global supply chains. How can we ensure that Ireland lives up to is obligations in this regard? In light of the recent discoveries of human rights abuses surrounding global supply chains, for example, in the manufacture of personal protective equipment, PPE, I ask the Minister to confirm that he is committed to exploring ways to ensure that businesses will carry out checks on international supply chains and commit to responsible and sustainable practices.

While the next issue I wish to raise is not directly related to Covid-19, it is related to oppression. Does the Minister agree that China's latest national security legislation threatens the autonomy and freedoms of Hong Kong? Does he condemn this latest move by the Chinese Government? Has he in any way expressed concern to the Chinese authorities about how this legislation will undermine the one country, two systems framework, and will he make a statement on the matter?

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