John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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194. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps that are being taken to ensure that critical medicines for rare disease patients do not become embroiled in any trade tensions given the significant pharmaceutical manufacturing presence here; the steps that have been taken to ensure that this is being communicated at EU level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33598/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Ireland’s consistent position remains that we need a substantive, calm, measured and comprehensive dialogue on trade with the United States. A mutually beneficial agreement that works for both sides is the objective. The Government welcomes the intensification of EU trade negotiations with the US in recent weeks.

While most Irish exporters are currently subject to additional 10% tariffs, exporters of pharmaceutical products are not. However, we must be up front that, while the negotiations between the EU and US are underway, there are still risks of further sectoral tariffs, including on the pharmaceutical industry. The Deputy will be aware that a US Section 232 national security investigation into imports of pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients is ongoing. This may lead to further actions being taken by the US Administration on imports of pharmaceuticals.

I have on several occasions raised the mutually beneficial and interconnected nature of the Irish, European and American pharmaceutical industry with the US Administration, including with Commerce Secretary Lutnick in April and most recently with US Trade Representative, Ambassador Greer earlier this month.

I have also conveyed our sensitivities regarding this industry to the European Commission, including during my call last week with Trade Commissioner Šefcovic. I believe that the strategic importance of the pharmaceutical industry to the EU as a whole is well understood.

Furthermore, my officials and I have also engaged intensively with stakeholders, including through the Government Trade Forum, to understand the potential impacts on the industry of US tariffs and EU re-balancing measures, if they were to be put in place.