Lets Not Pretend This is Good News Td on Trade Deal
The leader of Independent Ireland, Michael Collins has today (July 30) raised concerns following confirmation that a 15% tariff will be imposed on EU exports to the United States.
Deputy Collins described the EU-US trade deal as a "significant blow" to Irish manufacturers, exporters, and rural communities.
The Cork South-West TD acknowledged that the revised rate avoids the previously threatened 30% tariff, but warned that the final agreement represents a "serious setback" for Irish exporters.
He believes that the deal leaves the Irish economy vulnerable "at a time of unprecedented international uncertainty".
Deputy Collins said: "15% may be better than 30%, but let's not pretend this is good news.
"For exporters in sectors like pharma - many of them based in rural Ireland - this is a hammer blow to competitiveness."
"The sectors of the Irish economy that will be most heavily impacted by these tariffs must be protected at a national level," Deputy Collins added.
The TD has called on the government to introduce a package of financial supports to ensure businesses in vulnerable sectors "remain viable".
He believes that that government cannot allow Irish businesses and workers to pay the price for "brinkmanship" between global powers.
Deputy Collins said he has spoken with several business leaders in his constituency who are "deeply alarmed" by the deal struck between the EU Commission and the US.
He said: 'There is a real and growing fear that once again Ireland is being treated as a pawn – or worse, a guinea pig – in a geopolitical game played far above our heads. Ireland is not just some side note in EU-US trade.
"The time has come for our government to stop cow-towing to the EU or the US and to start standing up for Irish jobs and Irish enterprise"
"This is not the moment for polite diplomacy or shrugging our shoulders. These tariffs will hit Irish SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) and exporters in towns and villages the length and breadth of the country – many of whom are already struggling under the weight of inflation, energy costs and shifting global supply chains," Deputy Collins added.
The TD called on the Taoiseach and Tánaiste to lead a "coordinated diplomatic offensive" to protect Irish interests, and explore all available supports for the most affected sectors.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
42 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Letters to the Editor: Agriculture in Ireland plays only a minor role in global warming
Recently, as a scientist long concerned with global warming, travelling throughout Ireland by foot, bike, car, bus, and train, I discovered a strange phenomenon — the complete absence of the vast herds of cows that we are told are producing vast quantities of methane and carbon dioxide, breaking our international climate agreements as well as having a devastating effect on the planet. Trips to Mayo, Kerry, and West Cork by car; to Dublin by train; walking and hiking through the Golden Vale — the heart of the mainly culpable dairy industry — climbing Croagh Patrick and Mount Brandon, I was surprised by the almost total absence of belching cattle in the fields as far as the eye could see, even during the grass feeding period. The vast mountainous areas throughout Ireland, representing nearly half of Ireland's landmass, are devoid of even a single cow. It is hard, if not impossible, to reconcile the reality on the ground and in the fields with the accepted rhetoric that agriculture is responsible for 37% of Ireland's CO2 equivalent emissions. One wonders if those commentators and academics who are calling for the major culling of the national herd ever take a trip to the countryside. To put it in context, this dichotomy may be resolved if one considers that — according to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the foremost authority on all climate matters — Ireland's overall contribution to global warming is a mere 0.11% of the world total, which means that the contribution of agriculture is 0.0407% of the world total, hardly enough to warrant the enforced culling of a single cow. John Leahy, Wilton, Cork Let our sorrow become solidarity I write not as an expert or politician, but as a human being who is trying his best with a heart both broken and burning. Broken by the scale of suffering in our world, and burning with a hope that perhaps, still, we might choose compassion, care, justice, and love over complicity. How have we become so numb? Why are some lives headline news and others forgotten footnotes? Why does the world rally for some tragedies and turn away from others? What kind of people are we becoming if we allow compassion, caring, and even real love to be so selective? There can be no hierarchy of human worth. No neutrality between siege and survival. No future in a world where atrocity is livestreamed, analysed, and ignored. We Irish know hunger. We know occupation. We know what it is to be silenced. That history must shape our response now. We must be a voice for those the world would rather forget. We must demand a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and so many other parts of our world where conflict exists. Unimpeded humanitarian access in all conflict zones such as in Tigray, Sudan, Somalia, Ukraine, Ethiopia, and so many other countries where conflict exists. An end to arms sales that fuel the bloodshed. And, above all, a politics rooted in compassion and care. It is not enough to feel bad. We must act. We must write, give, march, vote, pray, protest. We must let our sorrow drive our solidarity. Let us not be remembered as the generation that watched genocide happen and did nothing. Let us, instead, become the answer to someone else's prayer. Lord of mercy, open our ears to the cry of the hungry, the homeless, the abandoned, the poorest of the poor in over 100 countries where conflict and war is taking place, especially in Gaza, Sudan, Ethiopia, Ukraine, and even at times on our own streets here in Ireland. Break our hearts for what breaks yours. Shake us from comfort. Disarm our indifference. Set fire to our compassion and our empathy. Let us never look away. Let us never grow numb. Let our outrage become action, our sorrow become solidarity, our prayers become protest, our faith become flesh. And may we remember: Where there is life, there is hope. And hope begins not in power, but in hearts brave enough to love without limits. Amen. Ronan Scully, Knocknacarra, Galway What's your view on this issue? You can tell us here Political pressure may help end this man-made disaster There is a stronger reaction from political leaders and politicians under pressure from their constituents to the Israeli government's man-made starvation crisis in Gaza. France is about to recognise the statehood of Palestine and British prime minister Keir Starmer said Britain will recognise it in September unless Israel calls a ceasefire and allows all food aid into Gaza. On a Jordanian food drop flight to Gaza last week, British journalist Jeremy Bowen said Israel told them to block side windows. He was banned by Israel from filming the ruins of Gaza. He said Israel allows 'symbolic' food drops now to lessen the international pressure, but it needs road convoys of food allowed in. Videos by citizen journalists of the dying children in Gaza caused this international response. International media has not been allowed in since the war began. Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, says there is no starvation in Gaza. In a recent large protest near 10 Downing St, they hit pots and pans mirroring the image of Palestinians rushing to only four badly run Israel-US Gaza Humanitarian Foundation food aid stations put in place there in May. The UN, vastly experienced in delivering aid, was banned by Israel from Gaza in March, with Israel saying it employed Hamas members — which the UN denied. Some within Israel's government are on record saying they want no food and water in to Gaza to force the population out. I am not anti-jewish or anti-Israel. Millions of people around the world hope for all aid to be let into Gaza for 2.2m people. The war has gone on too long. We hope Hamas will return to Israel the remaining 50 or more hostages, 20 or more of whom are believed to be dead. An enormous man-made disaster. Mary Sullivan, College Rd, Cork Pass the Occupied Territories Bill 'The European Union is consciously supporting Israel's genocide of the Palestinians,' according to Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur for the Palestinian occupied territories. She added that the EU had already 'disgraced itself' by entering the association agreement with apartheid Israel. (That Israel is practicing apartheid — a crime against humanity — was a determination made last year by the International Court of Justice, the highest court on the planet). As perhaps never before, social media has helped expose the terms 'Western values' and 'Western democracy' as no more than hollow slogans used to cover the grossest violations of international law, including illegal occupation, apartheid, and now genocide against defenceless civilians. In an unprecedented gesture of support of Ms Albanese, close to 1m of the world's citizens have called online for her to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace. A growing number of prominent political figures from around the world have added their voices. The Haughey-led government in 1987 defied the then EEC, and unilaterally banned all trade with apartheid South Africa. By enacting the Occupied Territories Bill now, in full and without further delay, an Irish Government would again strike a blow for international law and Irish democracy and, in the process, help bring an end to the most shocking examples of international criminality since the start of the Second World War. Billy Fitzpatrick, Terenure, Dublin 6W What's your view on this issue? You can tell us here Let Government decide on action We continue at all levels to find ways not to contribute to common defence, even trying to decide the types of ammunition unsuitable to kill our troops such as cluster munitions. We must acknowledge that one UN member state required to validate our triple lock is waging war on a European nation. Another is supplying the wherewithal to pound Gaza. Europe is being forced to prepare for its own defence, and we are on the fringes. The recent loan pool for defence of €159bn has been taken up to the extent of €127bn by a number of countries including even Cyprus — but not including Ireland. Only our government of the day should decide on participation in defence when requested by legitimate authorities. John Jordan, Naval service commander (retired), Cloyne, Co Cork
RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Tánaiste pays tribute following death of Hilary Weston
The Tánaiste has paid tribute following the death of Hilary Weston, aged 83. Dublin-born Ms Weston, a former fashion model turned philanthropist and businesswoman helped build both Penneys and Brown Thomas as part of her husband's retail businesses. In early days of Penneys – she designed dresses which she had made up by local makers to put in the window for sale for young women and later brought international designers to Ireland. She met her late husband Galen Weston in 1963 while he was working in Ireland, and they married three years later and were together for 55 years until his death in 2021. Ms Weston served as a deputy chair of Holt Renfrew, was a director of Brown Thomas and Co. in Ireland, and a director of Selfridges Group based in the UK during her lifetime. She established the Ireland Fund of Canada in 1979, to raise money for good causes. "Her lifelong passion for the arts, education, health research, and volunteerism culminated in recent years with the creation of The Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation. "Since 2021, the foundation has committed close to $150 million to innovative charities impacting healthcare, education, women, refugees and the environment in Canada, Ireland and the UK," her family said in a statement after confirming her death. They added that as a public servant, Ms Weston lived a life of "deep and far-reaching impact". As Ontario's 26th Lieutenant Governor, she shone a light on the contributions of volunteers, women, and youth. She had a lifelong passion for the arts, education, health research, and volunteerism, they said. Tánaiste Simon Harris said he was "deeply saddened" to learn of the passing of Ms Weston. "Hillary was a very proud Irish-Canadian, who served both Ireland and Canada with distinction and generosity. "In addition to her successful businesses and public service in Canada, through her leadership of the Ireland Funds Canada, she made a lasting contribution to Irish-Canadian relations," he said. "I extend sincere condolences to her children Alannah and Galen, and the entire Weston family."
Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Businesswoman behind Penneys and Brown Thomas Hilary Weston dies aged 83
The Dublin-born woman, who was also the former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, passed away in England, where she had been living in recent years. She was born in Dún Laoghaire in 1942 as the eldest of five children and married Irish-Canadian billionaire Galen Weston in 1966. She was prominent in the early days of Penneys and later ran Brown Thomas after her husband bought the retailer. Ms Weston was later a vice-chair of the Weston's Canadian luxury retail chain, Holt Renfrew. A statement by her family said: 'A beloved wife, proud mother, cherished sister, adoring grandmother and loyal friend, Hilary's life was shaped by her quiet strength, enduring generosity, and a deep commitment to helping others. "Over their loving 55-year marriage, Hilary and the late W. Galen Weston supported each other in family, business and community life, with a mutual devotion to public service. 'From her early days working as a fashion model to support her widowed mother and younger siblings, to her decades as a distinguished business leader, philanthropist and public servant, Hilary lived a life of deep and far-reaching impact.' Tánaiste and the Foreign Affairs Minister, Simon Harris, paid tribute to the late businesswoman, describing her as a 'very proud Irish-Canadian, who served both Ireland and Canada with distinction and generosity'. In a statement he said: 'I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Hilary Weston.' 'In addition to her successful businesses and public service in Canada, through her leadership of the Ireland Funds Canada, she made a lasting contribution to Irish-Canadian relations. 'I extend sincere condolences to her children, Alannah and Galen, and the entire Weston family,' Mr Harris added. In a joint statement, Brown Thomas said: 'Everyone at Brown Thomas Arnotts is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Hilary Weston - a truly remarkable person. Along with her husband Galen, her vision and enduring support for Irish culture and Irish enterprise laid the foundations for the success we enjoy today. 'On behalf of all of us at Brown Thomas Arnotts, we offer our heartfelt condolences to the Weston family at this time. Her memory and impact will not be forgotten.' In early days of Penneys, Ms Weston designed dresses which she had made up by local makers to put in the window for sale for young women to buy for Saturday night dances. She worked with her friend, Cecily Macmenamin, to support Irish designers, including Sybil Connolly, Paul Costelloe, Philip Treacy and Louise Kennedy. She also brought International designers to Ireland, such as Armani, Louis Vuitton, Hermes. In recent years she initiated the Hilary and Galen Weston Scholars at Trinity Business School and the MA in Sustainable Business. She said when receiving her honorary degree at Trinity that she went out to work so the boys could go to university. She is survived by her two children, Allanah Weston and Galen Weston Jr, and predeceased by her husband, Galen Weston, who died in 2021 following a long illness. In a statement, Galen G. Weston said: 'As Ontario's 26th Lieutenant Governor, she shone a light on the contributions of volunteers, women, and youth. Her lifelong passion for the arts, education, health research, and volunteerism culminated in recent years with the creation of The Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation. "Since 2021, the foundation has committed close to $150 million to innovative charities impacting healthcare, education, women, refugees and the environment in Canada, Ireland and the U.K. 'Hilary's business acumen was equally remarkable, helping to shape the future of luxury retail as deputy chair of Holt Renfrew and a director of Brown Thomas & Co. and Selfridges Group; and with her husband Galen, co-creating Windsor, a celebrated residential community in Florida, reflecting their shared love of design, architecture, and nature. 'Our mother lived with unwavering devotion to her family and a belief in the power and importance of community and service. Brilliant, brave, companionate, and beautiful, she brought a touch of magic to everything she did - in her decades of public service, philanthropy and her remarkable business career. Her greatest joy was the life she created for her family and friends—filled with warmth, love, and fun.'
