William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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197. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the means by which Ireland’s Action Plan on Market Diversification will reduce the country’s over-reliance on key trading partners such as the US, UK and EU; the concrete benchmarks and timelines for its implementation and success; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57145/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The overarching goal of Government Action Plan on Market Diversification is to support Ireland’s businesses, through concerted actions by Departments and State agencies, to adapt to the global trading environment by striking out into new and diverse markets and deepening their engagement in existing markets. It arose out of discussions at the Government Trade Forum chaired by the Tánaiste on the need to review, and where necessary strengthen, the supports available internationally to help Irish business.

The Action Plan is a ‘whole of government’ approach containing over 100 actions to be delivered over a short period, anchored around four core objectives:

• Supporting Exporting Businesses and Market Access,
• Deepening and Broadening Ireland’s International Engagement,
• Delivering Trade and Tourism Missions for Strategic Impact
• Enhancing Domestic Readiness for Economic Engagement and Partnership.

William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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198. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his assessment of the risk to Irish exports given ongoing tensions in transatlantic trade for example, US tariff threats and supply-chain disruptions; the contingency strategies his Department has developed to shield Irish businesses from sudden shocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57146/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Government welcomed the publication of the Joint Statement with the US and the degree of stability and certainty it brings in what has been a very difficult period for Irish and European exporters. However, we are also acutely aware of the impact of higher tariffs and the existing difficulties that many Irish exporters have already faced this year, as well as possible implications for the all island economy.

Importantly, the Joint Statement leaves the door open for negotiation of further tariff reductions in the future on products of strategic common interest. At both political and official level, my Department is in very close contact with the European Commission to see what further carve outs can be made in areas of interest for Irish exporters. I also had the opportunity to discuss the the implementation of the Joint Statement with Commerce Secretary Lutnick, and the prospects for expanding the list of goods that are exempt from tariffs, during our meeting in Washington on 26 September last. I have also previously spoken to USTR Greer on these issues.

I have and will continue to actively engage with businesses to understand their concerns and see what Government can do to support them. In addition, I will continue to convene meetings of the Government Trade Forum which brings together members from across Government, as well as from bodies representing employers and employees, to discuss the implications of US tariffs and the new transatlantic trade and investment relationship.

The new international trading reality also brings into sharp focus the need for Ireland and the EU to diversify our markets with new global partners. While we want to continue to do business with the US and indeed want to grow business, it is important that we take every opportunity to identify these new markets. Ireland has always had this goal in mind not only in securing the network of free trade agreements already in place, but also in the ongoing negotiations for new deals. The Government Action Plan on Market Diversification was published on 25 August and seeks to support this.