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world this year. While the international order has been shifting for over a decade, this year saw greater fragmentation as widespread tariffs were introduced. The world has been pulling away from its near-universal commitment to free and open trade, a commitment that benefited many. Our fortunes … progress in recent years. Ireland will always be a global voice for, and champion of, co-operation and trade. It is regrettable that tariffs were introduced but the recent EU-US trade agreement is still a better outcome than the alternative of higher tariffs and, ultimately, even greater

Irish businesses are employing over 200,000 people across the United States, including in every single state in the US. On tariffs, as the Deputy would expect, I raised the potential expansion of the list of goods exempt from the baseline 15% tariff rate, including the need

discussion and engagement. There has been a couple of missed opportunities here. Regarding the drinks industry, it makes no sense to have 15% tariffs in place. Not only does it not make sense from an Irish perspective but it does not make sense from a US perspective. There … opportunities in the US that will put their decisions to invest in the US on hold as a result of the tariffs. Trying to broaden those conversations out in the time ahead will be important

Food Vision tillage report, despite current headwinds, including a challenging market outlook and the instability of export markets brought about by tariffs, which created an extra challenge for malting barley growers this year. I hope this is short-lived. I note positive developments such as the news that … role Irish whiskey has to play. This is another sector that is experiencing very strong difficulties this year as a result of the tariffs. It might involve looking at the role quality assurance can play or looking at the use of native grains to ensure we can monetise

Budget 2026 has come at a time of global uncertainty with risks of tariffs and instability on the European Continent. This is a budget that seeks to invest in our future while securing the jobs, prosperity and stability that families and businesses depend on today. I also recognise

much progress has been made on expanding the list of goods which will be exempt from the 15% tariff? Has progress been made on the cost of visa applications and is there likely to be further progress made over the next two to three months

which, in the current climate, are looking for bases in the European Union. Ireland has this opportunity. We talk about the threat of tariffs and the difficulties in getting new industry here. We will hold our existing industry, but the concern is that down the road research

absolutely agree this is part of the response to the challenges posed by the changing trade and tariff situation. We are entering an age of deglobalisation. We also have many other factors to contend with. It is important we maintain that industrial base and that knowledge economy

roles as Taoiseach and Tánaiste, he has defended and protected Ireland's position as a small open economy against the threats of tariffs on a scale not seen for decades. He has maintained a really strong focus on Ireland's ongoing role in humanitarianism and human rights globally

efforts to strengthen our economy, increase market diversification, protect jobs and positively benefit enterprises and consumers alike through increasing their options, reducing tariffs and costs and maintaining standards. Irish and European Union exports to the world facilitated by trade agreements support more than 750,000 jobs here, which

Draghi report because they are essential to European Union competitiveness. Draghi pointed out that barriers that exist are much more costly than any tariff imposed by the US, by three times in some cases. The publication of the digital strategy and of an updated AI strategy is imminent

that, where mackerel is used as a feedstock for the production of fishmeal, it finds its way back into the European market through tariff-free salmon from Norway. That is anathema to how we should be managing our resources. Wider discussions will have to take place across various

doing income tax we would choose the other things because we have to keep this country safe. The Deputy only asked me about tariffs once at Leaders' Questions. He never wants to discuss the economy or the global headwinds that the country faces. We have to keep

view. We stand at a juncture. Countries surrounding us are entering into effective recession. We are in the teeth of a global tariff war and see the return of protectionism. All of that is against the backdrop of a global economy still recovering from the impact

budgets to come as well in respect of taxation. Given what is happening in the world and the United States, with tariffs and so on, we need to protect the jobs we have now and into the future and we need to invest in infrastructure because the population

inflationary pressures, the ongoing wars in Europe and the Middle East, deglobalisation and a move towards more protectionist and divisive policies, including trade tariffs, the accelerating impacts of climate change, and AI and the rapid pace of technological advancements. Each has intruded, disrupted and added uncertainty

European Union Single Market has been hugely important to this country and we need strong international relationships. The introduction of widespread tariffs by the US, although capped at 15%, will no doubt impact on our economic growth and has been a serious consideration in preparing this budget

instability and uncertainty, such as the brutal genocide in Gaza, Russia's brutal war in Ukraine and the threat of Trump's tariffs ever pending and ever looming. We acknowledge that global insecurity, but at a time when we are seeing record budget surpluses and when the Taoiseach

repeated year after year. We know that the world is increasingly volatile and that the increase in protectionist policies like Trump's tariffs could have a hugely damaging impact on a small, open economy like ours. I have heard the Government say the same, but those words ring

bills are among the highest in Europe and are due to rise further in the coming weeks as energy suppliers jack up their tariffs. We are also seeing the level of energy arrears rise, with over 300,000 households in arrears on their energy bills. Despite this growing

value on small independent business and places all our eggs in one FDI basket, failing to protect us from global upheavals or tariffs. We need the Government to build an economy where small independent businesses are paramount, particularly as their profits stay in the communities while the profits

they cannot put a proper line through a footpath to a charging point on the street so they can avail of the domestic tariffs. The local authority in south Dublin appears to be trying to penalise people by forcing them to use commercial rate chargers. That

will say again: Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael combined are the single biggest threat to Ireland's economy, not Donald Trump and his tariffs. Together, they have delivered a budget of broken promises for workers and dreams that have come true for developers. Ireland

contribution that uncertainty was the defining feature of the global economy this year. Indeed it is, but uncertainty was predicted before Trump's tariffs and any truly fiscally responsible Government would have reflected this in decisions made during last year's giveaway budget. If a little dampening down

have a proposal for effective sanctions on the table. In practice, this would mean that imports from Israel would be subject to significant tariffs in accessing EU markets. This is important. There is a lot of focus on whether the US is the only country that

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update on the Government's position in relation to potential increased tariffs; and the preparations it is making for same. [57181/25

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

plans to safeguard Irish farm competitiveness in the face of ongoing EU trade negotiations, including Mercosur, the EU-UK agreement, and US tariff policies on Irish agriculture; if he will request mandatory safeguards to prevent Irish beef, dairy, and tillage producers being undermined by imports produced to lower

Minister for Finance if he has conducted an assessment of the likely impact on Irish pharmaceutical exports and State tax receipts of recent tariff announcements by the United States administration; and the contingency measures being considered in Budget 2026 to mitigate any fiscal risk arising from changes