Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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618. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are contingency plans in place to support farmers and agri-food producers in the event of an increase in tariffs on the sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13789/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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As a small, open exporting economy, Ireland is sensitive to any change in global trading conditions. Therefore, any imposition of tariffs by the U.S. authorities will if enacted have the potential to pose significant challenges for Irish exporters of agri-food products to the US. This is of particular concern as the US is the second largest market for Irish agri-food exports after the UK with exports last year valued at almost €2 billion.

Ireland and the European Union want to avoid a series of escalating tit-for tat tariffs. Ireland’s view on tariffs is clear: they are economically counterproductive and would disrupt deeply integrated transatlantic supply chains.

My Department continues to work in close coordination with the European Union, other Irish Government Departments and industry stakeholders to fully understand the potential impacts. I participated in a meeing of the Government Trade Forum chaired by the Tánaiste last week to discuss these issues.

Our reaction to any tariffs will be motivated by protecting the interests of European and Irish businesses, workers and consumers from unjustified measures. My department already provides a range of EU and nationally funded schemes to support farmers. In relation to Irish food and drink sector concerns, while engagement on trade issues takes place between the EU Commission and the US, I can assure you that the Commission is aware of Irish concerns and those of other member states.

I urge stakeholders to engage with the EU public consultation process currently underway in relation to possible countermeasures.

I will lead a trade mission to the US in April, travelling to Washington DC, and other locations, to meet with US Government officials, State legislators, and private companies where I will promote the importance of this trading relationship.

Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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619. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if provisions are in place should additional supports be required by farmers in response to any further unprecedented events similar to the damage caused to the agriculture sector by Storm Éowyn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13790/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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My Department recognises that the recent storms Darragh and Éowyn have caused significant damage around the country.

My Department works as part of the co-ordinated, whole-of-government response, through the National Emergency Co-ordination Group. A response to any further unprecedented events causing damage will be assessed in this whole-of-government, co-ordinated way.

In relation to damage to forests, the Windblow Taskforce comprises stakeholders who represent forest owners, forestry companies, sawmills, Teagasc, Coillte, Forestry Contractors, and the Irish Road Hauliers. Learnings from this taskforce have potential to provide valuable information for any supports required for future similar events.

In addition, a Working Group comprised of members from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the ESB has recently been established to consider the mitigation of risks to the electricity network arising from similar future events.

The Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) provides grants to farmers to build and/or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holdings.

I recently opened a new, short, TAMS tranche for a three-week period to deal specifically with storm-related damage on farms. This tranche will close this coming Friday, 28 March, and the specific items in respect of which applications are being accepted are (i) backup PTO Generators, (ii) sheep, bovine and equine fencing, (iii) wood/biomass chippers and (iv) mulchers. I would urge farmers to submit applications where appropriate, and I will ensure that they are processed as a priority.

I have also indicated that I intend to introduce grant aid support under TAMS for replacement of roofs. The application process for this specific investment will be available later this year.