Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yes, I am focused on remaining on it. I thank the Chair. Of course, we need to strengthen this legislation but I am just making the general point that our leaders here need to be careful what they wish for. We do not want to be putting up flags. I would encourage the Taoiseach and the Government to congratulate President-elect Trump at the earliest opportunity, invite him to Ireland and seek an early meeting with him. The Taoiseach was in the US meeting President Biden recently, along with senior IDA officials and others in an effort to maintain our good relationship. I am speaking on behalf of south Tipperary, Cluain Meala, west Waterford and Dungarvan where there are about 9,000 US foreign direct investment jobs. We value those jobs. Merck, Sharp and Dohme has been there almost 55 years and we need to keep those jobs. We need to have proper channels of communications with all embassies-----

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