Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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1. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [26918/25]

Shane Moynihan (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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2. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [33560/25]

Naoise Ó Cearúil (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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3. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [34040/25]

Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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4. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [34613/25]

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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5. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [35368/25]

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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6. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [35372/25]

Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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7. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [35405/25]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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8. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [35615/25]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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9. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [37507/25]

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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10. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [37565/25]

Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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11. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [37587/25]

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 11, inclusive, together.

The Programme for Government 2025: Securing Ireland’s Future, recognises the importance of Cabinet committees to the policy development and oversight work of Government. The Cabinet committee on the European Union and international affairs was established by the Government on 18 February 2025. Its role is to oversee implementation of programme for Government commitments in respect of the European Union, including preparation for Ireland's Presidency in the second half of 2026 and international issues.

A date for the next meeting of the Cabinet committee has not yet been scheduled. It most recently met on Monday, 16 June in advance of the June European Council meeting. The committee considered the substantial items on the agenda for the June European Council. As I told the House in my statement last week, the June European Council discussed developments in Ukraine and the Middle East, including the humanitarian situation in Gaza. European defence and security, global economic developments, competitiveness, migration, preparedness and the European Union's internal security were also on the agenda.

While European Union-US trade negotiations were not a formal agenda item, given the approaching deadline for the end of the US pause on higher rate tariffs, it was discussed among leaders. As the House will be aware, I have expressed my disappointment at the letter sent by the US to the European Union and the indication that a tariff of 30% may be imposed on imports from the European Union. The European Union continues to negotiate with the United States in good faith. Notwithstanding the letter, the facts remain that the deadline for talks is 1 August. The European Commission has been clear that it is working towards the conclusion of a deal as soon as possible and in advance of the deadline. The Government strongly supports these efforts. Our objective remains agreement on a mutually beneficial deal that works for both sides. A negotiated outcome is the best way forward.

I was in touch with President von der Leyen by phone on 7 July and again at the weekend when she updated me on the latest situation in negotiations with the United States. While the European Union will continue to work for an agreement, it will also continue to prepare for other outcomes.

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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A great deal has happened since 16 June when the Cabinet committee last met. I will come back to the question of tariffs, which I raised with the Taoiseach during Leaders' Questions. The tariff of 30% now threatened by President Trump would, of course, be ruinous, as the Taoiseach rightly said, for EU-US trade. I asked the Taoiseach what the contingency plan is, given that the adjusted deadline is now 1 August. What is the contingency plan? If it appears, coming close to 1 August, that the EU negotiation side has not succeeded in stopping those tariffs coming into effect, will the Dáil be recalled? How will that impact budgetary preparations?

The Taoiseach also mentioned that at the European Council meeting, Ukraine and Gaza were at the top of the agenda. Will he update us? Was any hope or prospect offered of an end to the war in Ukraine? Is there any sign of a change at EU level in respect of the ongoing carnage in Gaza? Are EU leaders moving any closer to any sort of agreed position on stronger sanctions against Israel?

Shane Moynihan (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to ask about the current situation in Sudan. A civil war, which started over two years ago, has resulted in the death of over 500,000 children and the displacement of 14 million people. It has left 25 million people facing insecurity. Ireland's record has been strong in this regard. We were the country that initiated the discussion on sanctions and spoke on behalf of the EU at the EU and Gulf Cooperation Council summit. I would like to hear from the Taoiseach about what efforts are ongoing at an EU level to co-ordinate with our fellow European member states with regard to a more proactive response to the conflict in Sudan. What actions are being taken to interact with the African Union in respect of its role in this conflict and bringing it towards a resolution? We need to consider the safety of human life in that regard.

Naoise Ó Cearúil (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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We recently heard of the possibility of an increase in US tariffs from 10% to 30%. EU Trade Commissioner, Maroš Šefčovič, has said that the 30% tariffs would effectively cut off EU-US trade, which is quite a sobering thought. Is the Government liaising with the Commissioner on any possible impacts of the increase from 10% to 30% tariffs?

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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The ongoing genocide in Gaza is obviously a stain on the European community and the US. Is the fear over tariffs going to inhibit our Government from raising serious human rights abuses within the US?

I have seen videos - I am sure the Taoiseach has too - of children shackled and chained in an LA detention centre by ICE and being transported, in scenes reminiscent of the Holocaust, before the end of the Second World War. I have also seen alligator Alcatraz, in which hundreds of people are being detained, with no convictions and no charges, in the Everglades, in Florida. Trump has called these people deranged and dangerous. They are being kept in cages in a swampland with pythons and alligators. There are 700 people there, apparently. When a Democrat Congresswoman emerged from there yesterday, she was shaken and completely unable to speak about the horrors she witnessed. We have a duty to speak up about human rights abuses in the US or any other powerful nation and not to be deterred for economic reasons.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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There has been a lack of movement on the ongoing genocide by Israel in Gaza. We need to push Israel more and we need to see action finally happen. Something we could do here today would be to "let them play". Everyone has heard those words in the context of GAA Palestine and the idea I think everyone is taken with of 47 children from the West Bank coming here, from the desperate lives they have due to the ongoing situation there, and being allowed to play hurling. Earlier, the Taoiseach said there was no appeal lodged. I spoke earlier to Stephen Redmond of GAA Palestine. An appeal was lodged with the Department of justice at 1.15 p.m. GAA Palestine is saying that if those visas could be printed and in Tel Aviv for 1 o'clock or 2 o'clock tomorrow, it will be possible to deliver. If they are delivered later, there will be an issue with moving through, given the issue of violence by settlers. That is the reality these children are dealing with. This is something the Taoiseach or the Minister for justice can deliver on. I accept that other things take a lot more effort and take a long time. This could be absolutely beautiful but it could also be another failure with regard to the Palestinian people and these particular children.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Thank you, Deputy Ó Murchú.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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That is the truth. There is no point using any other language.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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I call Deputy Malcolm Byrne.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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The fact is the Government can and should deliver.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Resume your seat, Deputy Ó Murchú.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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It is the only thing to do. We cannot fail these Palestinians any further-----

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Ó Murchú, please resume your seat. I call Deputy Malcolm Byrne.

Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I agree with my colleague, Deputy Moynihan, about the horrible events that continue to unfold in Sudan.

I raise the EU-China summit which will take place next year. While it is important and increasingly the case that we must have free and fair trade around the world, and I know China and the European Union are committed to try to address some of the trading problems globally, I raise again the issue of continuing human rights abuses in China by the Chinese Communist Party. In particular, I raise the case of Tibet and how the Tibetan minority is treated. I would like an assurance in the context of the EU-China summit that human rights will remain on the EU's agenda, that the Irish Government and the EU will raise the question of the succession of the Dalai Lama and that we will reaffirm the position that it is right for those of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition to choose the Dalai Lama's successor and that his successor should not be chosen by the Chinese Communist Party.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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It is very simple: the Department of justice has refused to give the visas needed for children from Palestine to come here and play hurling. That can still be changed. It requires a Government decision to say, "We are going to grant the visas; it is the very least we can do." I urge the Government to act at this late stage. As well as the GAA players being denied entry, we know there have been real issues with medical evacuation of Palestinian children. Over the weekend, I learned that around 20 Palestinian students have applied for visas to attend college in Ireland from September and that only two of them have been approved. There looks to be a pattern here. By way of contrast, any Israeli citizen can travel visa-free to Ireland for up to 90 days. An Israeli child could travel to Ireland and play GAA here with no trouble. Why are we not doing everything we can for these people, to let them play, study and access medical treatment in Ireland?

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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The Taoiseach's argument consistently has been that we need to wait for the European Union to act in unison as regards sanctions against Israel. It is now clear and widely reported that there is no requirement for unanimity. What measures will the Government take, along with other countries, and what other countries are they, to enforce meaningful sanctions on Israel?

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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Last week, I raised the issue of the GAA Palestine organisation seeking to get visas for children to play hurling in this country. I think most people will recognise the shocking devastation that exists in their home country, and most people with a heart would seek for them to be able to find solace in Ireland in the coming weeks. I was shocked to hear about a group of people from the GAA Palestine organisation having travelled to Dublin to seek a meeting with the Department. They brought all the documents with them but were denied a meeting with any official within the Department, I am told. One would imagine that the instinct of the Government would be to make sure the Minister met this group and be proactive in seeking a solution to this. Can the Taoiseach indicate what happened there and why no Minister sought to proactively fix this situation so we do not have this current stalemate?

Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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Aontú has raised concerns about the economic threats of the tariffs for quite some time. An Aontú Private Members' Bill sought to urge the Government to take steps to mitigate the consequences of the tariffs. In response, Deputy Alan Dillon, the Minister of State with responsibility for enterprise, stated that there is no threat to Ireland as regards these tariffs. I warned at the time that this was very naive and dangerously complacent and I hoped it was not reflective of the Government across the board. Since then, there has been a narrative change. Recently, the Tánaiste stated that there is a major economic challenge, and the EU trade chief, Maroš Šefčovič, stated that it would be almost impossible for US-EU trade to continue under a 30% tariff. Will the Taoiseach outline in simple terms whether there is a contingency in place should these tariffs continue? What does this mean for the people of Ireland and what does it mean for counties like Mayo, which is so reliant on medtech and pharma, for example?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank all the Deputies for raising a range of questions.

Deputy Bacik first raised the issue of tariffs and Deputy Lawless concluded on that. Fundamentally, a 30% tariff is untenable and unsustainable. It would have to be met with a very strong European Union response if it were to be maintained. That would have the effect of creating a reaction in the markets, in my view, and would in itself create an utter economic crisis because Europe and the US have the biggest trading relationship in the world. We therefore hope we can get to a negotiated settlement and a solution here. That has been the mindset of the European Union from day one. There is no question about the impact of this; there will be impacts. The Economic and Social Research Institute did a number of analyses of different tariff levels, particularly a 10% tariff, for example, and what the impact would be. It predicted a decline in economic growth and an ease in employment creation. At 10%, we would not create as many jobs as we have been creating in recent years. If it were 30%, we would be talking about huge economic decline, job cuts or job reductions in the private sector and so on - if that were to come to pass. The situation is very serious; no one is trying to hide that. The European Union does not want tariffs and has not sought tariffs.

We have a number of events coming up. We have the summer economic statement to be published. That outlines the broad expenditure proposals. We have the budget itself. We have the completion of the national development plan. All those are predicated on the Department of Finance finance projections in terms of revenue and so on.

Tariffs could potentially impact tax revenue, employment and sectors in our economy that are very strong, such as pharmaceutical and medtech. Therefore, we have to keep this under review. There is no certainty here; it is a situation of uncertainty. There was a surge of exports prior to the arrival of tariffs at the beginning of the year. That might impact beneficially on the surplus at the end of this year. We do not know; we have to wait and see. That does not mean that will be replicated next year or the year after. Under the European Union medium-term fiscal framework, we have to present a five-year plan to Brussels. The context could not be more uncertain given what is happening.

Deputy Shane Moynihan raised Sudan. I am glad he did and it is welcome because very few people are speaking about the atrocities in Sudan and the level of killing and destruction of the civilian population in Sudan and the enormous displacement of people. It is absolutely horrendous and shocking and goes to the heart of the very destructive inhumanity of warfare. Ireland has raised this at all multilateral forums, at the European Union and at the UN, and we have advocated for stronger sanctions, also on some neighbouring countries which are fuelling this because of their own vested and geopolitical interests. The result is millions of civilians losing out in terms of their fundamental human rights and the basic necessities of life in terms of a home and so forth.

Deputy Ó Cearúil also raised the EU tariffs. I outlined where we are there. I hope, and this is the view in Europe, that the setting of the 1 August deadline presents an opportunity for dialogue, although Europe is conscious of the impacts of all this because Europe thought it had a deal days before last weekend. There was, more or less, an outline agreement in principle which Europe thought had been arrived at and then suddenly this 30% came onto the table. That does not augur well. We have to prepare for all eventualities. We will keep people informed.

Deputy Coppinger raised issues of human rights. Ireland raises human rights abuses and breaches at all multilateral forums and bilaterally with nations and we will continue to do that. On issues within the US, we will look at those and take assessments from various bodies and so on that can comment on those.

In response to Deputy Ó Murchú, Ireland has been, without question, among the foremost countries highlighting the appalling impact of the war in Gaza on Palestinians and also the terrible, shocking terrorist behaviour of settlers in the West Bank. We were one of the first, along with Slovenia, Spain and Norway, to recognise the Palestinian State and we have also pushed for suspension of the EU-Israel trade agreement. A menu has come on the table today from the High Representative of certain aspects we can progress but the problem is that will require support from other European Union countries and it is not yet clear whether that could achieve a qualified voting majority. If, for example, we looked at the Horizon Europe programme in terms of seeking to put pressure on Israel and not facilitate its use of the Horizon programme, would that get the requisite support? That is something we are working on and we are engaging with other like-minded countries, as we have done, with the EU-Israel association agreement. We did it with Spain alone and then with eight other countries some weeks ago. We have also asked the European Union to ask itself whether it is in conformity with the International Court of Justice judgment and opinion.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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I am being reminded by Members that we have gone over time on this question.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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Could we-----

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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I am just bringing this to the Taoiseach’s attention.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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-----eat into the next question?

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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There is an allocated time. I can easily hold everyone to their time but Members will not get answers. If they want answers, they need to allow the Taoiseach to respond.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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We want the answers.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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Maybe we could take off-----

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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Holding everyone to their time is fine.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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We will eat into the time for the next set of questions.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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We can take five minutes off the next group.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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That is what I am saying.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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Yes.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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That is fine.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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On letting them play, I am perplexed about this. Deputy Paul Murphy raised this as well. I am slightly worried that there is a campaign under way to try to blame the Government or create this narrative, as Deputy Murphy did, that the Government is anti-Palestinian or is not facilitating Palestinians coming to Ireland. The bottom line is 700 visas have been granted to Palestinian nationals since the outbreak of the war.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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Is that a lot?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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There is no delay in medical evacuations whatsoever. A false narrative has developed around medical evacuation of children from Palestine. I do not know where that is coming from or why people would even want to create that false narrative to undermine the Government..

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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It is coming from doctors.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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No, it is not.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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It was a doctor who contacted me about it.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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The doctor should maybe contact the Minister. We work with the World Health Organization. Some doctors wanted to do it by another route through Jordan. We can look at that but let us do it properly, through the proper channels, because these are serious matters. These are children with serious injuries. We have to make sure their parents are on board. Family unification is there and we have done that already with 12 children. There are, I think, 45 adults with those 12 children already. I am very clear there will be family reunification. Let us not have Members just saying the Government is anti this or that – it is not.

GAA Palestine has come out of left-field, to be frank. Why was there not proper negotiations or engagement with the Government well in advance before any visas were applied for?

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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They say there was no interaction.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Sorry, Deputy.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Can we deal with it now?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am dealing with it now but it is an important point. This is a serious matter. You cannot have a group forming in any locality and simply say, "Ignore all your normal regulatory procedures for visa applications". That is not possible. You have to get the documentation right. We have to know who is coming in with the children. We have to know the passports are proper. A lot of that was open to question, apparently, according to the documentation that was submitted.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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The information and the appeal is in.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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Just hear me out, please. For the children, additional documents must be verified, including birth certificates and letters of consent to establish the relationship between the child and the adult they are travelling with. Most of the children would not have been travelling with a parent. Then there are all sorts of issues about employment, other ties and indicating that a person has obligations to return to home. Those are all there as regulations. For some reason, over the last four or five days, no appeal was entered at all.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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They were allowing for the discretion of the Minister.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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I am going to move on to the next group of questions.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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How come there was no meeting with the delegation?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I will come to that. The basic thing that should have happened is that an appeal should have been entered.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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There is an appeal now.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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That was today, at 1 o'clock?

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I know but can we deal with it now?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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It does not sound right to me that an appeal would come in in that manner given that a week or more has passed since the original decision. The whole thing is somewhat perplexing. That is all I am saying.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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I am sure they find it perplexing too.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I do not know whether GAA Palestine is affiliated to the GAA. Normally what would happen is a sporting organisation would come to the Government of the day and say "We want to organise X, Y and Z" well in advance.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Will the Taoiseach meet Stephen Redmond? He is here now. He is the founder of GAA Palestine.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I do not know who is behind the whole thing.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Stephen Redmond is and he is in the building at the minute.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Ó Murchú, we are not having-----

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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Sorry, look that is-----

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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I ask the Taoiseach, if he would not mind, to conclude.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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Who's campaign is it? Is it the Deputy's campaign or who's campaign is it? What is going on?

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I would just like this issue dealt with. I would prefer not to be dealing with it like this.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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So would I.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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This is hardly the way. I do not understand why the Government did not deal with this, even to get it off the agenda.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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Sorry, but I do not understand the way the Deputy is dealing with it. It seems to be more about the campaign than the children. I hate saying that.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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No, I am incredibly straight and incredibly constructive.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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We will conclude these questions.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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Why was there a refusal to meet a delegation?

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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We are now moving to Questions Nos. 12 to 17, inclusive.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am asking legitimate questions. There was no notification that anyone was coming. You do not just rock up to the Department of justice, ad hoc, and say "Minister, come down here". He might not even have been in the building.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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They could have met officials.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Yes. They asked for engagement.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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All of it suggests that something is not right, in my view. I am not saying anything was done wrong by the organisers but the whole thing seems haphazardly organised. That is all I can say.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I am not sure.

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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What is the Taoiseach suggesting?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is strange; that is all I can say.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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The Taoiseach would not even meet the delegation.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Can we have some order, please?

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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We are talking about children here. I think there should be a greater sense of organisation behind this and-----

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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We are trying to get it sorted.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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We want to help.

Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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What about Tibet?

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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We move to Questions Nos. 12 to 17, inclusive.

Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I asked about Tibet.

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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Apologies. Tibet will be on the EU-China forum. We always raise issues with China. China always responds, by the way, robustly and never has any issue with the matter being raised. We do not get a satisfactory response from our perspective. On the Dalai Lama and so forth, I could not agree with the Deputy more.