Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

In response to Deputy Ó Murchú, at the time of the visit in March, the primary objective of the Government and myself was to protect the Irish economy and jobs in respect of any tariff impositions on European Union goods, in particular Irish goods, from whatever sector. Therefore, we used the opportunity to emphasise the very substantial investment by Irish companies in the United States. We mentioned the substantial positioning of Irish companies in the US and the huge investment flows from Ireland, as well as reciprocal investment by US companies historically in Ireland.

It is a very robust and important relationship. That bilateral relationship continues to be important. We will engage with the US Administration bilaterally. Critically, as has been said by Deputy Ó Cearúil and others, the European Union will engage in trade talks and tariff talks with the US. There has been engagement to date but it has not moved into the latter phase of intense negotiations. One would hope after the exchange and phone call of the past week that this will now settle into a serious negotiation that will avoid any of the harm the imposition of tariffs could have on consumers, citizens and the respective economies of Europe and the US. We do not want tariffs. We believe they would be very injurious to our economy and the European and American economies. Ultimately, given the strength of the relationship between Europe and the US, it would damage the world economy.

With regard to Deputy Bacik's question, we have to wait and see where tariffs land. We cannot commit public funding in the dark or indicate that we will write a blank cheque without understanding what we are trying to solve and fix it in the first instance. Obviously, a lot depends on what emerges from this in terms of the level of tariffs, if there are to be tariffs, and whether they will apply to all sectors and so forth. Whatever we do has to be fiscally as well as economically sustainable in the longer term.

In respect of Gaza and the Middle East, the discussion on the Northern Ireland peace process was such that the president drew parallels between the intensity and ferocity of the violence in Northern Ireland and the horrific bombings that killed so many innocent people, including civilians and what was then happening in the Middle East. What is happening in the Middle East has been going on for a prolonged period but the point is that we said the peace process in Northern Ireland is a potential model to be used in the Middle East and you can deconflictualise a society and create pathways to peace. A two-state solution is, in our view, the optimal way forward, notwithstanding the policies of the Netanyahu government.

Deputy Murphy raised the issue of Shannon Airport being use for deportation. Again, the Minister for Foreign Affairs is investigating that, along with the Minister for Transport. There are basic frameworks and international agreements around the landing of planes for civilian purposes. This is an issue we will enquire into further. It is not immediately clear from the international framework agreements on this issue how one can address it. We will examine it further and come back to the Deputy.

I join with him in expressing sympathy to Dr. al-Najjar on the loss of nine of his sister-in-law's children. The slaughter of children will come to define Israel's inhumanity to fellow human beings, in this case of Palestinians in Gaza. It is beyond any moral comprehension that such indiscriminate bombing, which is killing thousands of children and innocent civilians and destroys families, can take place. The US has significant power and influence over Israel. Some countries in the European Union have been supporters of the state of Israel for historic reasons, Germany being one, although I note the remarks of the German Chancellor yesterday in respect of the behaviour of the Israeli Government.

This Government is not just about fine words. We have taken very practical steps, insofar as we can and in the areas where we can. Contrary to what Deputy Coppinger said, I would not withdraw from the EU. I would try to do more in the EU to bring more people along to the proper course of actions that need to be taken.

See this speech in context