Dáil debates

Tuesday, 11 February 2025

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions

Departmental Bodies

8:05 am

Photo of Sinéad GibneySinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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4. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the composition of the new US-based strategic economic advisory panel; if the members will be remunerated; to outline the scope of the new US-based strategic economic advisory panel; if it has a terms of reference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4820/25]

Photo of Sinéad GibneySinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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I wish the Tánaiste well in his role and I look forward to collaborating with him. I worked very well with his brother in my previous role as chief commissioner of IHREC and I hope to collaborate with the Tánaiste similarly.

My question relates to the announcement from the Department last week of the establishment of the strategic economic advisory panel, a US-based group that will advise the Government on trade issues. Will the Tánaiste please elaborate on the composition of this new US-based group? Will the members be remunerated? Will the Tánaiste outline the scope of the group and whether it has terms of reference?

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Gibney and I congratulate her formally on her election to the House. I look forward to working with her collaboratively also. I thank her for the question.

The United States is in a period of change in its economic and trade policy as the new Administration establishes itself. Ireland had a good working relationship with President Trump's Administration during his previous term in office and we look forward to trying to build on that to support strong bilateral and economic ties in the coming years.

In this context, the Government needs to ensure we have structures in place to ensure we have access to expertise to identify the opportunities and navigate the challenges in our economic relationship. As part of this effort, I will be establishing a US-based strategic economic advisory panel. This panel will bring together a number of very senior US-based business people, at the invitation of the Taoiseach and myself, to provide their perspectives to the Government as we navigate a complex global economic environment. What is envisaged is that the Taoiseach and I, and other senior members of the Government as appropriate, will engage periodically with the group, either in person or virtually. As the seventh-largest investor in the US, with the top ten Irish companies in the US alone employing 115,000 people, this is very much a two-way partnership.

By way of information, the Government will use a similar model for the panel as we have in the past to draw on expertise and experience from our diaspora. The Global Irish Network is one such example. There are no plans for remuneration for participants.

In addition, I will chair a consultative group on international trade policy, which is being established. This is an important forum in which the Government will engage with key stakeholders in Ireland, including the private sector. The first meeting of that group will take place this month.

I should make two points. The strategic economic advisory panel is a panel as opposed to having a strict membership. The members will be invited to the panel by the Taoiseach and I by way of letter. The letter will set out the mandate or purpose of the panel rather than formal terms of reference. The membership will be drawn largely from recommendations of our embassy network and our State agencies working in the United States, but we are open to ideas and suggestions in that regard.

Photo of Sinéad GibneySinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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I thank the Tánaiste. It is good to hear remuneration will not be part of it. I am still keen to hear more details about the terms of reference and membership. I appreciate the invitation will give details. For clarity and transparency for us as elected representatives in the Dáil, and for the Irish public, it is important that we know exactly on what conditions the group is being convened. It is very important that we have clarity on who these people are and in what context they will influence Irish trade policy. Public officials are democratically accountable to us but corporate executives are not. In the context of big business in the US encroaching even further on the democratic process, this is a challenge to be met, not a path to follow. The interests of these corporate executives, for example, may not align with those of the Irish people.

It is important to know who is speaking and acting on behalf of Irish policy and what level of influence and access they will get to decision-makers such as the Minister and the Taoiseach. Further detail is required.

8:15 am

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I largely agree with the Deputy's last point in terms of it being important that people know who has been invited to participate in that panel. An indicative list of proposed participants is currently being finalised in consultation with our embassy in Washington, our eight consulates general of Ireland across the United States and our relevant State agencies. Attendees will be drawn from a range of businesses and strategically important sectors with due consideration to a range of issues, including regional diversity, gender balance and so forth. I would make the point - I do not think we disagree on this - that our diaspora is a hugely important asset to harness. In a country in which we have so many people who are well aligned or well attuned to Ireland and Irish needs and indeed to our diaspora, it makes sense at this moment in time to bring them together to provide insight. Policy will, of course, continue to be made by the Government for which I will continue to account to the House. Certainly, once we write the letter of invitation which will set out the purpose, I am happy and, I believe, obligated to provide that information to the House.

Photo of Sinéad GibneySinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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To reiterate, I believe a formal terms of reference would be helpful in this case, again watching out for, within that membership, the interests of big business and how much it is going to influence the policy development of this country. I appreciate the points about the diaspora and it is important that we harness that network as much as we can. It is in the context that I have mentioned where corporations are increasing their influence on democratic processes all over the globe. We need to resist that path instead of following it.

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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It is important in an environment in which we know there is going to be significant policy change that could have a real impact on trade and investment and on jobs and growth, that we harness every possible avenue that we can in terms of getting the best possible information. That is why I will chair this new consultative forum that will bring all the relevant Departments together and indeed business representatives and others in this country. We will have the first meeting of that in Government Buildings this month.

This piece is about participants, inviting people who have business expertise to share insights and information. These are some of the biggest employers, perhaps from very large Irish companies that are working in the US. They certainly have a perspective on how to navigate this challenge. That perspective is valuable. Of course, that is what it is - it is a perspective and ultimately it is up to Government to make policy. Certainly, sharing information with this House and being transparent in relation to it is something I am very happy to do.