Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Our speech in May deals with that. We all need to get a bit real. Some 80% of pharmaceuticals consumed in America are made in China. Climate change will not happen without China's manufacturing capacity. We cannot gear up in terms of the wind infrastructure or solar panels to give the manufacturing capacity in China. I have spoken to the European Chamber of Commerce in Beijing. I have spoken to the representatives of many Irish companies who have given us an illustration of the sheer capacity of what is happening. We can cut ourselves off and that is what some want us to do. It is very easy to do, but it has consequences. We engage with many countries in the world with whose political systems we do not agree. I am a passionate believer in multilateralism, which requires engagement to try to bring about change. Many people in the global south, Africa and the middle East believe we in Europe hector too much. I am not saying China; I am saying generally. We need to engage in dialogue as much as we can. With the various disputes, I have been asked to expel three ambassadors, including the Russian ambassador, in the past year and a half. I do not see how that helps us in advancing the agendas, principles and values we have. I am digressing a bit.

Ireland’s trade with China, and importantly our goods exports to China, have trebled in the past five years. There is an economic interdependence globally and globalisation is not going away. The Government will continue to support many of our businesses and our State agencies in their engagement with China and to work with Chinese companies established in Ireland to create jobs and build prosperity. Alongside this, we will also work with EU partners to strengthen our broader economic security. With our economic resilience in mind, the Government has put in place legislation on 5G vendors and more recently, on investment screening. These measures are country-agnostic and play an important part in addressing economic vulnerabilities wherever they may arise.

I thank you for your indulgence, a Chathaoirligh. This is an important debate and one I am pleased to participate in. I thank the Seanad for its continued engagement on Ireland’s relationship with China. Senator Byrne has been engaged for a long time. I look forward to hearing the views of colleagues. I apologise that because of the way the other House works, parliamentary questions are taken late in the evening and I have to go and take questions on defence.