Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

In fairness to the Tánaiste, I recognise his productivity in engaging on Irish exports to the US economy and on putting such an effort into the St. Patrick’s Day visits over the course of a week in the US. Across all levels, from local government right up, this has been very important.

There is no appetite for hysteria here regarding what is going to happen tomorrow. No one wants that. However, we will need to be very reactive to it. I am aware that the Tánaiste is to have meetings on Friday. Does he have anything planned for next week from a parliamentary point of view or in terms of further briefings and debates we can have here, because 77,500 people are directly employed in the pharmaceutical industry? Many of us have friends and family in the industry. The companies are big employers in our communities and there is great concern. They will want to see leadership from the Minister and the rest of the Government in response to whatever happens on the White House lawn tomorrow at 4 p.m.

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