Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for the questions they have raised. The very important companies the Deputy Neville mentioned, Kerry Group and Intel, form an excellent example of making the case for trade because they are also present in the United States of America. They sell there and have a large presence there.

I will, on behalf of the communities the Deputies represent and that other colleagues have raised, engage heavily within the EU. I outlined to the House earlier that a meeting of finance ministers of the European Union would take place on Friday. Deputy Moynihan asked what I would do in advance of that. I will engage with colleagues from tomorrow on this. Responding via the EU is the best way for the Irish people and Government to influence what is happening at a global level.

On the point Deputy Tóibín made, we of course want a negotiation or de-escalation but I make the point I have made a number of times this morning: it is difficult to see how such a negotiation could take place unless the European Union is willing to outline that we would, regrettably, have to respond to the tariffs put in place and respond in a proportionate way to what the administration of President Trump has done. We will engage with the US and within the EU to make the case for the medicine and life science sector.

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