Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday afternoon Deputy Nash and I attended a briefing on tariffs and trade with senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs. It was also attended by other Opposition Deputies. I thank the Minister and Tánaiste, Deputy Harris, for setting up that briefing at my request. I had asked him last week that it would be set up. We are all very conscious that we are facing a particular crunch point next week with the prospect of US tariffs. There is deep concern around the country about the impact they are likely to have on jobs, the economy and the prospects for achieving the necessary change in terms of housing construction and investment in public services. The Minister, Deputy Donohoe, spoke about this on the radio quite candidly recently. What contingency planning is the Taoiseach doing at Government level? Can he brief the House on this, particularly next week once we see this deadline in place? Have he and the Tánaiste plans to engage further with Commissioner Šefčovič or indeed with the US officials on this?

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