Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I think that is right. I assure the Deputy that the Government at a whole variety of levels, including at political levels - the Taoiseach, myself, the Minister for Finance, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, others as well, I am sure - and at agency level like the IDA, together with our embassy network, is in ongoing contact with all the major companies. They are also represented through their representative bodies on the Government trade forum, which I chair and which will meet again on Friday in the aftermath of the announcement that President Trump is expected to make. Of course we keep an open mind on any supports that may be required for the Irish economy and at a European level, but, as the Deputy can imagine, the priority right now is on making sure that Ireland uses its voice in the European Union. I keep hearing in the media that trade is a matter for the EU. We are in the EU. We are around the table. We will have the Presidency of the EU in the second half of next year. We have to continue to work with the Commission. I was in touch with Maroš Šefčovič, the EU trade commissioner, tonight. I am in nearly daily contact with him now, certainly several times a week, as are my officials with his officials. We need to keep that going.

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