Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy has outlined what is a very significant issue. It goes back, as he knows, to the United States applying a 25% tariff on steel originating from third countries back in 2018 and the European Union responding in terms of its market. This has been exacerbated by Brexit, with the UK becoming a third country since 1 January and being subject to EU safeguard measures. The measures that are in place allow for the importation of steel from third countries by way of quotas determined in line with traditional volumes of trade in steel. The current measures will be subject to a full review before 30 June 2023 to determine whether they should be terminated in response to market conditions of trade in steel at that point. That said, it is recognised that importers can face significant burdens, including administrative burdens, when trying to source materials from third countries where there is a limited commercial relationship between the producer and the importer.

See this speech in context