Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 February 2025
11. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his plans for the establishment of a new US-based body that will be specifically tasked with further strengthening US-Irish relations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4462/25]
View answer13. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures being taken to weather any economic storms which may be triggered by trade and tax policies implemented by the new administration in the United States. [4435/25]
View answerGiven the possibility of reduced access to the highest levels of the US Administration, that international forces may well be working against us in the US because of our stance on human rights in respect of Gaza and Palestine and the commencement of a trade war by the Administration of the United States against the European Union, can the Minister report on his plans for the establishment of a new US-based body that will specifically be tasked with further strengthening US-Irish relations? I realise he gave a comprehensive answer to Deputy Gibney. Does he have anything to add to that?
I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 13 together.
I thank Deputy Daly. I will endeavour to give an equally comprehensive answer to him. I want to thank him for highlighting this issue because, truthfully, we cannot talk about this enough. As I said, I passionately believe that the relationship between the United States and Ireland is mutually beneficial. It is a deep relationship with many ties which are personal, cultural and historical, but it is also an economically important relationship. As we engage with the new Trump Administration, we need to make the point that it is a two-way relationship.
There are about 115,000 people who got out of bed in the United States this morning and went to work in the top ten Irish-owned companies in every single one of the 50 states of the United States. It is a relationship worth hundreds of millions of euro in terms of investment by those companies alone to the US. Of course, this country benefits massively from US companies which have found a home here and, I believe, see the benefits of locating here not just for access to Ireland and our talented workforce, but also the access we provide to the European Union.
We cannot be alarmist or fatalistic about what happens in other countries. We have to look at how we can engage in a constructive way. When we live in an economy that is open, highly globalised and, therefore, more sensitive to shifts in the global trading environment, it is important that we try to maintain a strategic focus on maintaining competitiveness, especially at a time when we are seeing increased protectionism and US strategic considerations shaping policy on international trade.
That is why we took a decision in government last week to establish a consultative group on international trade policy in Ireland, which I will chair. It will bring together all relevant Government Departments, but also stakeholders, including in the business community. Alongside that, a US-based strategic economic advisory panel will be established. This panel will bring together a small number of very senior US-based business people. They will provide their analysis and perspectives to Government as we navigate a complex global economic environment. They can also assist us in ensuring that our message on what I have described as our mutually beneficial economic relationship is well understood and communicated.
