Joe Neville (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is a great opportunity to speak again. I must be getting used to being in the Dáil, as this is the third time in two days. The issue we are speaking about is important to the country. The St. Patrick's Day festivities really brought home to us the opportunities we have as a country to discuss and to use our soft power. It was important and potentially very beneficial. As we know, the US is going through a change in administration, which creates its own changes. I will not use the word "difficulties", but it could end up being difficult. It is important the we get to use our soft power.

That is something we did well over the past week. It stood to us. As a nation, we were lucky to be in that position. It is something we should not take for granted. Other people might say that we should not go over or should not do this or that, but America is a major trading partner of ours and has a huge impact on us.

I grew up in Leixlip. Intel came there when I was quite young. That was a big thing. I remember that Digital had left County Galway, but Intel came to Leixlip. It had a major transformative impact, not only on north Kildare, but on the nation, with its footprint and all the taxes and everything that came with it. It has been of great benefit in providing jobs for generations of people and supporting schools. I see that impact as a benefit of international trade.

We also see the other side of trade in north Kildare. Although it originated in County Kerry, and I give a nod to my Kerry colleagues, Kerry Group's headquarters are now in north Kildare. In that regard, the trade benefit is going the other way to the US. Once again, it shows how Ireland has grown and developed. Kerry Group is not the only large company, not just in north Kildare but throughout the country, that is working in the US. Obviously, we have trade relations with other countries, but that is one we should be very conscious of at the moment because it is in the news. That is the reason we should always keep the doors open, not to mind the opportunities north Kildare gets from a myriad of other smaller industries, including the horse racing industry.

I have worked as a financial controller for revenue at Dublin Airport and I have worked in smaller companies. My colleague, Deputy Timmins, alluded to the importance of Enterprise Ireland. I have worked a lot with Enterprise Ireland. It has been highly beneficial to a number of small companies, especially during the time of Covid. It has had a major impact on developing companies and enabling them to trade in foreign areas, which is very important.

There has been a lot of heated discussion about tariffs. Who knows what will happen? I am very happy with our country's approach, which the Tánaiste spoke to. He will wait to see what will happen, as will Europe. Ultimately, these things are in a vacuum. We should not get too carried away with it until we see what stands out.

This discussion is not just about international trade, but international security. Ireland has played a huge role in international security in its own very determined way over the 100 years since the foundation of the State. It has had its own massive impact. We will never have the largest army in the world or get overly involved in conflicts, but we have played a significant neutral role. That enables us to be in a position where people trust our view and judgment. We should continue on that road as long as possible to make sure people know that we are a voice that can be trusted. That is standing to us. We are taking keen stands that are not necessarily popular in other areas. We have done so in respect of Gaza and Ukraine. That is testament to what we are doing.

We know the world is in flux, but the Government has shown over the past number of months and years that it can take its own international role. As long as it continues like that, we will be in good hands.

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