Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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28. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the new trade partners or strengthening of trading partnerships his Department is advocating for at EU level in order to diversify Irish trade opportunities in the face of US tariffs and trade instability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38294/25]

Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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64. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is satisfied that Ireland’s trade priorities are being sufficiently protected in international negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37590/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 64 together.

The Government is committed to supporting free, fair and open trade. Our membership of the EU makes us part of a growing network of EU Free Trade Agreements, supporting more opportunity for trade and investment, helping support jobs and growth at home, maintaining strict EU standards on food safety, animal and plant health, and supporting better environmental and human rights standards around the world.

Recent developments in the international trading environment underline the need for Ireland and the EU to look towards new opportunities in new markets. In this regard, the EU has an ambitious trade agenda and is currently engaged in a range of negotiations, including with India, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as sector specific agreements on digital trade.

We have always been clear, however, that EU trade agreements must defend our most vulnerable sectors and that our farmers’ livelihoods must not be undermined through weak or ineffective environmental standards in other countries. The new Programme for Government for Ireland is very clear on this point of principle.

I can assure the Deputy that Ireland will always work to protect Ireland’s defensive and offensive trade interests as we seek to complete mutually beneficial agreements with third countries.