2026-05-21

10. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on the Government trade forum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37942/26]

31. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the Government trade forum will next meet; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38378/26]

51. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on the latest Government trade forum meeting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38315/26]

I ask the Minister for an update on the Government trade forum.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 31 and 51 together. I thank the Deputy for this question. The trade forum has become a vital form of engagement between Government, Departments and Ministers but also important key trading stakeholders during a very uncertain and challenging time for international trade. The information and, importantly, the real-time feedback received from the members is extremely valuable. The Tánaiste established this last year during his time in this role. The intention was to make sure that there was that two-way flow of information, particularly in light of what was happening with the US, and that there was an ability for Government to outline the actions it was taking and for individual Ministers in specific sectors to outline the actions they are taking and for sectors and industry to provide feedback to us. The make up of the committee is reflective of some of our most important sectors and some of our most important relationships, including with the US and the UK chambers. We also have representatives from chambers across Europe. This is part of a more comprehensive and deliberative approach taken by the Government to make sure that Ireland's continued economic growth is resilient, so that despite all the uncertainty that we continue to focus on economic growth. This approach also includes the national development plan, which was published in recent months. We are moving to implement budget 2026 and we are now starting to talk about budget 2027 and the mutually supportive action plan and market diversification which was a real focus and priority for us, in particular during our visits for St. Patrick's Day this year, where that market diversification focus came through. Regarding the action plan on competitiveness and productivity, the Deputy will be aware that competitiveness is one of the key overarching themes of our Presidency in the six months ahead. We want to make sure that not just Ireland but the EU as a whole remains competitive and open and are investing in research and innovation. To do that effectively, we need to always be listening to business. That is why this forum is invaluable because we are hearing directly back from those in business and getting their ideas as well as giving them an opportunity to highlight where there are challenges. Agendas and minutes of the Government trade forum are published on digitalhouseireland.ie. Deputies can see that there is an approved work plan for 2026. We have tried to set out that we have an actual plan and that we are focused on various priorities at the different trade meetings. This year, I have convened three meetings of the forum and the minutes are available on digitalhouseireland.ie. My intention is to maintain that intensity of meetings. While a date has not yet been set, there will be another forum in June. This will give us an opportunity to focus on more key areas. At the last forum, I was joined by the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance; the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Deputy Chambers; the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Heydon; the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Lawless, and the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs, Deputy Byrne. Other Government officials and CEOs from State agencies also attended. This was the 12th meeting we have had. In particular, we reflected on the recent St. Patrick's Day programme, which was the largest in the history of the State. It was welcomed by all of those at the meeting. When we look at the overall figures - not just the number of diaspora we managed to reach, which was really quite substantial but also at the number in the business community - about 6,500 people across the world attended different business events we hosted not just stateside but in South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Australia and Africa. There has been a huge focus on how we can identify more ways to open up trade, to support business to grow and to open up new markets as well. We also focused on our engagement on our relationship with Canada. Unfortunately, a trade mission had to be postponed but that is a relationship that has grown from strength to strength. As we celebrate ten years of CETA and hope to ratify CETA this year, we can see that investment increasing significantly into the billions every year. There is a real opportunity to do more. In the coming weeks we will welcome further visitors from Canada, which will provide an opportunity to strengthen that relationship. The EU-US trade relationship is certainly on the agenda of every meeting. I am pleased this week that the EU has agreed the pathway forward for our side of the Turnberry agreement. Before the summer and before we take over the EU Presidency, I hope that we can see significant progress on more areas and the priorities that we want to work closely with the US on. We are working closely with the Commission on issues relating to the agrifood sector, the aviation industry, medtech and other areas to make sure that we can support our industries here. The relationship with the US is strong. Zero tariffs benefit everybody and that is where we would like to get to. Tariffs are not good for business or consumers. We want to work closely with the US to make sure we can reduce tariffs where possible. The ongoing conflict in the Gulf was a key focus point for the trade forum. It is safe to say that every business, large or small, I have met in the last number of weeks is experiencing the impact of the knock-on implications of what is happening in the Gulf, not least because of the cost of fuel. Of course, the price of commodities has continued to increase because of the conflict in Ukraine and now because of this ongoing conflict in the Gulf. It is important that we understand exactly how these conflicts are impacting sectors and how we can respond and provide supports and services. As the Deputy knows, in the last few weeks the Government has provided €750 million directly to individuals in their homes, but also to businesses to make sure that they continue to be viable and a part of a growing economy in what has been a very challenging and difficult time. The one thing that comes through from the forum is the demand and need for certainty in a time of uncertainty. That is what we have been striving to achieve, as well as supporting businesses.

I am delighted that the Minister has all the stakeholders involved in the forum and commend the work that has been done. I thank her for her comprehensive response. In light of what has happened the last 24 hours, I hope she will forgive me for deviating a little from the question. I welcome her and the Taoiseach’s remarks yesterday and again today on the Government's clear and principled position regarding the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, what happened last night and the importance of international law. People from all over the world are disgusted, including Israelis living in Israel and other parts of the world. Ireland has consistently shown leadership internationally on these issues. At a time when many people across Europe are calling for stronger action, it is important that Ireland continues to speak with clarity and moral authority at both EU and international level. I ask the Minister to provide an update on the Government's current engagement with EU partners on the situation in Gaza and the efforts under way to build a stronger and more united European response. In particular, what role is Ireland playing in advocating for a collective European position, grounded in international law, humanitarianism, protection and accountability?

My focus and priority this week have been ensuring the safety of our citizens who have been on board the flotilla. I am pleased to say that they are now on buses on the way to the airport and that our officials are on their way to the airport, if they are not already there, to assist and support them. We have been strong in condemning the actions of the Israeli Government. As I said earlier, the way in which we can respond effectively and send a very clear message to the Israeli Government that this is not acceptable, and that not just Ireland but the EU as a whole will not accept this kind of behaviour, is by collectively agreeing to suspend the trade elements of the EU-Israel association agreement or indeed the association agreement itself. We should also propose new sanctions that would prohibit trade with Israel in the occupied territories or with settlers in the occupied territories. I have been working on this for some time to try to build a consensus. We need to make sure that this comes to a vote as soon as possible to allow us to respond in that strong collective way. Like others, I have been looking at the response on the international stage as well. There has been global condemnation of the actions by the individual minister. Again this is symptomatic of a government that continues to take these types of actions, whether it is the reintroduction of the death penalty, public prosecutions and subsequently executions that they are discussing or the consistent blocking of humanitarian aid getting to innocent civilians in Gaza who are really suffering and see no end in sight. To that effect, at every Foreign Affairs Council meeting I have been at, I have specifically raised the need for more humanitarian aid to be let in. When I travelled to Egypt and to the Gaza crossing in January of this year, my main focus was to meet with those who are delivering the aid to talk to them about the challenges they are facing. It is very clear that blockages have been put in their way every day. The truck heights allowed on one day change the next day and then they have to offload. The types of products allowed in one day changes and they then have to change the truck again. The food that they are allowed to bring in is being left to sit in a warehouse going out of date and then when it is out of date it is not let in. It is unbelievable to think that the actions being taken are being done to prevent food and life-saving treatment from getting in. At the same time, the figures will show that hundreds of trucks are coming in. What it does not say is that it might be a truck full of Nutella or a truck full of goods that are going to be sold that people cannot actually afford. These are the types of actions that we need to continue to highlight and which I am highlighting at the Foreign Affairs Council. My colleague, the Minister of State, has responsibility for development aid. During our Presidency, one of our core priorities will be values. That means making sure that the values that underpin the European Union and the actions that we take are upheld. That means supporting life-saving organisations like UNRWA and the World Food Programme that are supporting people in Gaza, not pulling back our funding as other countries have done, but actually advocating and building a consensus to make sure the funding is reinstated and increased at a time when it is needed.

I welcome that the Government is continuing to work closely with our European partners to strengthen and unify the European response. We cannot simply stand by and watch what is happening in Gaza. Ireland has led internationally on this issue and was first out of the blocks to condemn it at the start. We should continue to lead within Europe in pushing for a clear and principled response. I thank the Minister for her strong remarks over the last period in response to what has happened to the people on the peace flotilla. What has happened is disgusting and beyond belief. We must act in unison with our European colleagues and impose trade sanctions on Israel. What discussions are now taking place at EU level regarding possible collective measures, including the examination of sanctions linked to illegal settlements? Is Ireland advocating for stronger co-ordinated action among member states?

I can give the Minister 30 seconds to answer that one.

I engaged directly with colleagues at the most recent Council meeting. We have raised this matter directly with the chair of the Foreign Affairs Council. Since then, I have been advocating and working with colleagues to try to make sure this comes to a vote at the next Council meeting.