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

Deputy Cullinane raised the issue of the runway and the airport. I dealt with that already. In response to Deputy O'Connor, Jameson is a world-class product. There is enormous investment going on in the Midleton plant and in a new one and obviously there is huge concern about how the tariffs will proceed. Let us remember that the European Union does not want any tariffs. The US Government has started this with a resumption of tariffs on steel and aluminium. The EU has re-enacted what it already had in place the last time but there is a public consultation period. We invite all companies to engage with and input into that. We will be engaging with the Commission. Obviously there has to be a comprehensive response to any tariffs that will be announced on 2 April. The EU will be allowing a bit of time after 2 April before it responds. The EU will adopt a strategic approach, which is what we will push for, that tries to leverage the best outcome possible for the European Union. Be in no doubt that we do not want a tariff war in Europe. It would be damaging to the economy and already we are seeing forecasts of a negative impact on GDP.

In response to Deputy Gogarty, I am not too sure it is an election interference event. In terms of Mr. McGregor, as I have articulated publicly, I fundamentally disagree with what he said. In some respects, perhaps, he craves attention-----

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