Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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15. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on any discussions with EU Commissioner Maroš Šefèoviè; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66297/25]

James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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81. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagement she is planning with fellow trade ministers internationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66428/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 81 together.

Since the shift in US trade policy earlier this year, the global trading environment has fundamentally changed. As a small open economy, we are particularly vulnerable to these external developments.

That is why since earlier this year, in his previous role as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Tánaiste engaged intensively on an ongoing basis with Commissioner Maroš Šefèovic, with whom he had an excellent working relationship. As we navigated the fast-paced developments of recent months, at every opportunity the Tánaiste advocated to Commissioner Šefèovic for Irish interests and sensitivities. He also consistently made the case for a negotiation approach with the US that was calm and measured.

In my new role I will continue with this approach. I will do everything I can to impress upon the Commissioner how vital international trade is to the Irish economy and continue to highlight to him the importance of sectors such as pharma and medtech, not just for Ireland, but for Europe as a whole.

I will also engage actively with my fellow EU trade ministers both bilaterally and through my attendance at the Foreign Affairs Council on Trade, or FAC (Trade).

Indeed, just last Monday I met with Commissioner Šefcovic and my European trade minister counterparts at the FAC (Trade) in Brussels. We discussed the key trade issues of the day, including continuing to work towards concluding trade deals with new partners such as India; the challenges in respect of EU-China relations; and the ongoing implementation of the EU-US Joint Statement.

Following the meeting there was a working lunch which was also attended by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer. I used the opportunity to highlight the need for the EU and the US to work together towards a new transatlantic trade and investment relationship based on mutual respect, shared values and common goals. I also highlighted the priority the Government attaches to extending exemptions under the EU-US Joint Statement to additional areas including spirits and med tech.