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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 15 together.

The Single Market is the best answer we have to this. We are speaking about the need to grow trade to take the place of trade that may be lost. The best place to do this is on our own doorstep. We have on our doorstop this incredible creation, which Irish politicians and diplomats have spent decades trying to craft, which is the Single Market. We need to plough on with realising the potential it still offers.

We also need to continue to remind and make the case to the people of Ireland that the cause and catalyst of the difficulty we are now confronting are the decisions that have been taken by President Trump. We acknowledge that there are issues relating to the flow of trade and the impact these can have on communities. We are all aware of them and we all need to engage. The measures that have now been instigated will have a significant effect on the world and on Ireland in line with the forecast the Department of Finance published two weeks ago. The only reason the European Union wants to consider measures to respond is in order that we can approach the negotiating table in a strong position. We do so because of the Single Market. We must also be willing to outline the steps we are willing to take. The cause of this is not action taken by the European Union.

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