Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael)

The Taoiseach is very welcome to the Chamber and I thank him for his contribution. He spoke about the budget first and I acknowledge the budget. It seems from the outside that the budget seeks to protect the economy, jobs, FDI, that this is one of five budgets and that not all measures that were in the programme for Government can be delivered. Initially, some were, such as 9% VAT rate for businesses because that is critical at the start, and other measures will be delivered over time, like the fee for higher education and more. When we look at this budget, we need to look at it in the round and in the context of a five-year in terms of delivering on the programme for Government, and this is on the back of volatility in the world, especially in America.

While it is welcome to have a bit of certainty on trade and a 15% tariff with America, it is important, as the Taoiseach said, to note that 70% of WTO trade has not changed, and we need to look beyond America and look east at opportunities. Recently, I travelled to Japan and visited Ireland House, which the Taoiseach, when he was the Minister for Foreign Affairs, granted approval to build and he opened it in July. As the Taoiseach will know, Japan is a country that looks at other countries that show long-term commitment, and a lot of Asian countries are like that. The fact that this Government has showed that commitment by investing in Ireland House has really made a significant difference, and half the Cabinet have visited Japan in the last nine months. When we look at opportunities, we need to do so in that context.

I welcome that the Taoiseach said it looks promising that President Zelenskyy will visit Ireland. That would be a very significant move by him.I had the opportunity as the Vice Chair of the foreign affairs committee, along with my colleague, Deputy Barry Ward, to meet President Zelenskyy for an hour in August, along with the chairs of other EU committees. He knows Ireland's support, the support the Taoiseach has given to his citizens over the last three years and the continued support that will happen. One of the requests, and it might be worthwhile if we were to do it before President Zelenskyy visits, concerned the fact that Ireland can play a key role in rebuilding Ukraine and supporting companies rebuilding in Ukraine. A call has been put out to a number of EU countries, but not yet to Ireland, essentially to appoint an envoy to Ukraine. Ten of the 27 EU countries have already appointed an envoy. The UK has also done so, with the Labour MP for Leeds, Alex Sobel, being that country’s envoy. Even in the six months since Ukraine started this initiative, it has noticed a dramatic increase in the number of companies from those countries where a state has appointed an envoy from its government to work with and get companies to invest in Ukraine and start the rebuilding process. If the Taoiseach could, this would be something he might look at in the next number of months. Once a request comes in from Ukraine, he might consider a precedent to look at appointing an envoy on behalf of this Government.

I welcome the Taoiseach’s comments and the news on Gaza, the ceasefire and the release of hostages. We called as well for the return of the remains of the deceased hostages to their families, which is very important. We have played a key role in the Gaza conflict in calling out things that have been wrong. I know the Taoiseach has limited speaking time, but he will have an opportunity to finish up. I am interested in hearing about the timeline of the occupied territories Bill and the advice of the Attorney General. I was on the foreign affairs committee, along with a number of colleagues in this room, and I went into that discussion regarding the eight weeks with a very open mind on which way to go. I was not decided one way or the other. I have to say I found the testimony of all the witnesses on all sides incredibly compelling about delivering the occupied territories Bill, preferably with trade and services included. It is important that we acknowledge we have to await the advice of the Attorney General.

There was a strong argument within the committee at the time that we should not fear a case being taken against us if we included services and that we should actually welcome it. If a case were to be brought against us for the inclusion of services and we were to win it, that would give leadership to all other countries to be able to follow suit. On the other hand, if the case were not to be won, the law could literally be changed overnight within 24 hours to just have a reference to trade and not services. Will the Taoiseach give us an update in his response, if he can, on where we are with this legislation and what the likelihood is of a decision from the Attorney General?