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

St. Patrick's Day has for many years been a substantive opportunity and occasion for Ireland, globally and in the United States, to engage with decision-makers, communities and the diaspora. We have a substantial diaspora in the United States. It is extremely important that we continue to work with our diaspora and also on our relationship with the United States. President Trump was democratically elected. He was elected by the people of the United States. One cannot ignore that reality.

The economic relationship between Ireland and the United States is extremely significant. It is worth €1 trillion. There are about 220,000 jobs in Ireland that are occupied by people who work for US multinational companies. There are a further 170,000 associated jobs. It is a huge part of our economy. Irish companies have been responsible for the creation of approximately 115,000 jobs in the United States. There are opportunities for Irish companies that export the United States. The Deputy is asking me to ignore all of that.

I am always intrigued by the hard left's approach, which ignores our economic model and thinks it is all somehow going to happen anyway. The Deputy probably does not agree with it, if she is honest. She is more interested in the concept of working people as opposed to workers themselves. She wants me to literally jettison any concern for the workers of this country, ignore any risks to their livelihoods and plough ahead with being virtuous and holding a particular view. I have a duty as Taoiseach to protect workers in this country and our economic relationships abroad, not just the United States but also with other countries with which we may not agree in terms of their policies and orientation.

On the Middle East, I ask the Deputy to talk to the Palestinian Authority and ask for its view on the Government of Ireland's response to the war on Gaza and the Middle Eastern conflict. We have solidly supported a two-state solution. We have, along with Norway, Spain and Slovenia, recognised the State of Palestine as a part of the Arab peace initiative. More than most, we have doubled down in supporting UNWRA, in terms of the very practical work of getting aid to Palestinians at a time of hell on earth in Gaza.

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