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

I thank the Deputy for his question. I also pay tribute to him for his outstanding contribution to this House as a parliamentarian over many years.

He has always been attentive, dutiful and informed on the issues of the day, be they domestic, European or international. His consistency and application are exemplary. Perhaps Deputies in the new Dáil could follow his example in terms of work ethic, which the Deputy has in abundance.

On the question asked, the United States is entitled to reduce corporation tax, just as we as a country have decided to reduce corporation tax. The more worrying aspect is the introduction of tariffs on goods imported into the United States, which would probably then provoke a response from Europe with reciprocal tariffs. Ireland is a small, open economy which depends on free trade and fair trade. It is extraordinary that the House has not been in a position to ratify the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, CETA. That tells its own story about a disconnect between this House sometimes and the economic realities of our country's lifeblood, which is trade. We export most of what we produce.

The tariff issue and protectionism predate President Trump. A more protectionist and isolationist trend has been emerging in America over the past ten or 15 years. We saw it during Covid. Likewise, in Europe there are elements around strategic autonomy developing - this idea of a more protectionist Europe. None of that is good for Ireland.

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