Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Last week, I was very happy to speak at a protest against President Trump at Shannon Airport. Our departing Oireachtas colleague, Deputy Clare Daly, also attended the protest along with a number of others. It was a very good occasion. I want to raise what is happening with President Trump with regard to Huawei because it really brings home the damage this president is doing. Analog Devices in Limerick, which supplies semi conductors to the Huawei plant, is facing a shutdown next month. We are talking about 1,200 of the best jobs in Limerick. These are unionised good-quality jobs at one of the longest standing employers in the region - an excellent employer. As a direct result of the blacklisting of Huawei by the US Government, according to a report in the Limerick Leaderthis morning, we are facing a shutdown next month with the loss of 1,200 jobs. I have friends in that plant because of my contacts with the union and I can tell the House that there is real concern. These are some of best jobs in Limerick city. I am trying to put this question in an non-adverserial way. What is our Government doing? I heard the Tánaiste admit that there was no evidence presented against Huawei with regard to these charges of spying but we need to do more than that. We need the backbone to stand up to the US bullying coming from President Trump not just because it is morally wrong but because it is economically wrong. It is damaging. It could cause significant damage. If this blacklist continues, the consequences for those 1,200 workers in Analog Devices could be very serious. Where is the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation? Why are we not hearing from her? What are we doing at European level to say with one clear voice that this nonsense of blacklisting Huawei and the bullying attitude by President Trump must end? I know we all want to be friends with the US but our Government is incredibly subservient when it comes to this administration. We have seen it with regard to Palestine in particular. It is time we heard from the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation with regard to this issue. Jobs could be at risk in one of the best companies in Ireland.