
Simon Harris on Gaza solidarity day
He was responding to a letter written by a Mr. Michael Cush which was published in Thursdays Irish Times, and stated that the Irish government has been strong in its condemnation of Israel's actions in Gaza, but that the government and the people of Ireland are growing frustrated as they feel 'helpless' to prevent the ongoing conflict.
Taking to Instagram today, Simon Harris said 'The people of Ireland stand with the people of Palestine. We stand for human rights, for international law, for a two state solution, for aid to flow, for hostages to be released. We stand for peace. We stand for an end to genocide'. Pic: Sam Boal/Collins Photos
Michael Cush had also said in his open letter to the newspaper that 'If the Government were to call a national day of protest, the turnout would likely be enormous'
Today, Simon Harris posted the letter on his social media, alongside a statement endorsing the suggestion made by Michael Cush.
He went on to say 'The suggestion for a national day or moment of solidarity made by Michael Cush in the letter above is sensible and a good idea. It could be powerful if many countries did it together. I will now talk to colleagues on how to make this happen.' The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. Pic: AFP via Getty Images
The Irish government has been one of the few within Europe that have labelled Israel's actions in Gaza as 'genocide', while internationally the world looks on as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens, and the population face the very real threat of starvation as the war continues.

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Irish Daily Mirror
3 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Taoiseach welcomes trade deal between EU and US
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has welcomed a deal between the European Union and the United States, which will see a 15% tariff on most EU imports to the US. The deal was reached during a meeting between Donald Trump and the president of the European Commission on Sunday. The US president met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to hammer out the final details on the trading relationship between Europe and the US. Reacting to the deal, Mr Martin said the agreement was very welcome. 'It brings clarity and predictability to the trading relationship between the EU and the US – the biggest in the world,' the Fianna Fail leader said. 'That is good for businesses, investors and consumers. It will help protect many jobs in Ireland. 'The negotiations to get us to this point have been long and complex, and I would like to thank both teams for their patient work. 'We will now study the detail of what has been agreed, including its implications for businesses exporting from Ireland to the US, and for different sectors operating here. 'The agreement is a framework and there will be more detail to be fleshed out in the weeks and months ahead.' Mr Martin said the higher tariffs will have an impact on trade between the EU and the US, which will make it more expensive and more challenging. US President Donald Trump enjoyed a round of golf before his meeting with Ursula von der Leyen 'However, it also creates a new era of stability that can hopefully contribute to a growing and deepening relationship between the EU and the US, which is important not just for the EU and the US, but for the global economy,' he added. 'Given the very real risk that existed for escalation and for the imposition of punitively high tariffs, this news will be welcomed by many.' The deal was also welcomed by deputy Irish premier and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Harris, who said it brings clarity to businesses. 'While we have yet to see the detail, I welcome that an agreement has been announced by Commission President von der Leyen and US President Trump,' Mr Harris said in a statement. 'A deal provides a measure of much-needed certainty for Irish, European and American businesses who together represent the most integrated trading relationship in the world. Ireland makes a key contribution to this with the Ireland-US economic relationship valued at more than one trillion euros. 'The US had made clear, and this has been replicated in other recent agreements, which the US has reached with other countries, that a baseline tariff was always going to be part of the outcome. 'I have always stressed that tariffs are damaging and will have a negative impact on companies exporting to the US. 'While Ireland regrets that the baseline tariff of 15% is included in the agreement, it is important that we now have more certainty on the foundations for the EU-US trade relationship, which is essential for jobs, growth and investment. 'President von der Leyen described this as 15% tariffs across the board, all-inclusive.' He said further detail is needed around pharma, aviation and other sectors. Mr Harris said he will examine the details of the agreement over the coming days to establish the effect on Irish businesses and the economy. Earlier, EU commissioner Michael McGrath said the meeting was a 'significant and decisive moment'. Mr McGrath, EU Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, said it would involve substantive negotiations between both sides. 'It's a significant moment, we hope a decisive moment, and it builds on an enormous amount of work that has been done over quite a period of time,' Mr McGrath said ahead of the meeting. 'President Trump invited President von der Leyen to Scotland for a meeting. 'This follows on the back of intensive negotiations over a number of months. He added: 'It is not a case of turning up and signing on the dotted line. There will be a real discussion that will happen, and it will take on a dynamic of its own, and let's see what happens over the course of the afternoon. 'But from the EU's point of view, we are determined to do all that we can to get a deal for European businesses, because we recognise the cost of uncertainty. 'It manifests in trade and in investment decisions and ultimately in employment and of course tariffs can cost consumers at the end of the day. 'We want a good deal. We have negotiated hard, and we're at a point now where hopefully the two leaders can today bring it to a concluding phase.' Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.


Irish Times
33 minutes ago
- Irish Times
EU-US deal good for Ireland as it averts trade war for now and gives businesses vital sense of certainty
The agreement of an outline trade deal between the EU and the US has one main advantage – it avoids an imminent tariffs war between the two sides which could have got nasty. US president Donald Trump had threatened 30 per cent tariffs on EU imports from August 1st and the EU had drawn up a list of US goods on which it would impose tariffs of its own. This could have developed into a tit-for-tat battle. Now, the gunfight is off and the trade weapons are back in their holsters, at least for a while. Ireland relies heavily on US investment and trade and stood to be particularly exposed if a trade war broke out. Such a scenario could risk drawing big digital tech companies with large operations here into the fallout. READ MORE Peace has broken out, but Trump's unpredictable nature means dangers and uncertainties lie ahead. Businesses in most sectors will, for now at least, know what they are dealing with and that has a value it itself, as doubt had started to damage investment. What about the terms of the deal? The 15 per cent tariff is well above the average of just under 5 per cent which applied on all EU imports to the US before Trump came to office. However, Irish businesses have been faced with a range of different tariff levels and much will depend on the small print of what was agreed. It is worth remembering that Trump imposed 10 per cent tariffs on top of existing ones after 'Liberation Day' and these remain in place. So, Irish companies will be calculating how the 15 per cent compares to the current position – and also to what applied before Trump came to power. Indications on Sunday night were that the 15 per cent would be 'all-inclusive' rather than adding to pre-existing tariffs. If that is the case, it would be welcome. While no details have been circulated, the EU said there would be 'zero for zero' deals discussed in some areas. Drinks or agri-food could be in the frame here, which would be positive for Ireland. One sector which is vital to Ireland is the pharma sector and there was some confusion as to how it would be affected. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said this would be covered by the 15 per cent cap on reciprocal tariffs. However, the Trump administration is examining key sectors like pharma and semiconductors – seen as vital to national security – under a separate process known as the section 232 studies. It may be possible that higher tariffs on EU pharma exports to the US could yet emerge from this. Trump spoke again on Sunday about his determination to bring pharma investment back home for security reasons. And he has spoken before about the possibility of using tariffs to achieve this. Other policy options would also be open to Trump to try to get pharma firms to relocate away from countries like Ireland. The generally better mood between the EU and US may help in areas like this, but dangers remain for Ireland. In the wider picture, Trump is building in baseline tariffs of 15 per cent for many countries, with his key goal being to raise revenue for the US exchequer. But this will hit those who rely on imports into the US, too, affecting businesses and consumers and pushing up inflation. That is the price of tariffs. For now, though, Trump is happy for the US to pay it.


The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Sad to see him go' – GAA fans emotional seeing Michael D Higgins attend last men's All-Ireland final as President
GAA fans felt a twinge of sadness at Michael D Higgins conducting his presidential duties for the last time before a men's All-Ireland final. Viewers nationwide reacted to him being escorted out to shake the hand of every starting player 2 He was accompanied onto the Croke Park pitch by GAA President Jarlath Burns Credit: @TheSundayGame 2 Captain Gavin White was outstanding from start to finish for Kerry The 84-year-old has served in the role since 2011 so he's become part of the furniture on big sporting occasions such as All-Ireland final matchdays. Whomever succeeds him in November will have big shoes to fill in spite of his diminutive stature. The former Labour TD's enjoyed widespread popularity despite being arguably the most outspoken President in the history of the state. The broad sense that he's been an excellent representative for the country on the national and international stage was reflected in the replies to RTE clipping his last walk-out before a men's decider. Read More On GAA Aón labelled him: "A national treasure." Similarly, Karen hailed: "Sorry to see him go. A great President of Ireland." Rosemary added: "Brilliant President, he has represented our country brilliantly." Lastly, another Karen commented: "Well done true great president Michael D Higgins great president of Ireland. "A true leader he was and we will sadly miss him as he steps down. Our Irish president well done for everything you've done for our country." His last men's showpiece was the first one played under the new rules that have revitalised Gaelic football as a spectacle across the 2025 inter-county season. Most read in GAA Football The full-time scoreline demonstrated that this another match where attacking play was encouraged and allowed to flourish as the Kingdom It was the FIFTH time manager Jack O'Connor has led his county to the promised land. Cork hurlers catch strays during Jack O'Connor's triumphant RTE interview after Kerry outclass Donegal Afterwards he gave a passionate interview reflecting on their year as a whole - and inadvertently The 64-year-old branded it a "tough ole year" as he cited But the veteran boss noted that he sensed a good feeling off his players throughout the morning in the lead-up to He also pinpointed CORK CALL-OUT It was when recalling something he said during the interval that the inadvertent jibe at O'Connor said bluntly: "I think that two-pointer was a massive score by David. That was a massive fill-up at half-time to put us up by seven. "Then we said to each other in the dressing room that what happened to Cork last weekend wasn't going to happen to us. "We were going to come out and play and try to win the second half. And we did win the second half by three points so overall two good halves." O'Connor's was the only eye-catching post-match interview either as a pumped-up Paudie Clifford