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Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Irish Examiner view: State must be ready to step in
Despite the sense of relief from some (and reaction is mixed) in the wake of the US-EU trade talks at Donald Trump's golf course in Scotland on Sunday, there is still much to distil from the agreement and its effects across Europe's industrial, manufacturing, energy, and agriculture sectors. While many businesses received a certain clarity, there are still numerous dark corners which need light shone upon them and it is now incumbent on our Government to identify those at risk as a result of the new tariffs and provide a financial bulwark for them. In the same way that Brexit introduced a new level of challenges to Irish industries and businesses, the new tariff regime will require the Government to act similarly — by introducing supports — if widespread job losses, factory closures, and business shut-downs are to be avoided. Our pharmaceutical industry remains our biggest sector vulnerable to the capriciousness of US economic policy. It will take some time for the effects of this deal to percolate down through our exporters, whatever products they are engaged in manufacturing, and to see which of our manufacturing businesses are going to take the biggest hits. While we can console ourselves that the outcome was not as bad as it might have been, even for the business that see it as a successful conclusion to talks it still represents a considerable threat to their wellbeing as industries and therefore the job security of the employees. The Government has a limited pot of cash to provide the necessary supports, but must clearly target those sectors — and jobs — where the risks are greatest. Even in a best-case scenario turbulent economic times lie ahead and dropping the ball could be catastrophic. Swift and decisive interpretation of the tariffs is needed to identify where we most need to provide resources to sustain businesses and employment. Israel reaction is to deflect blame With some 2m people starving in Gaza, the slight relaxing by Israel of its aid blockade is is little other than a PR exercise by the government in Tel Aviv. Israel is pursuing this course in order to try and remove itself from blame for the killing and starvation of Palestinian civilians, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. With the international community — including dozens of governments, UN agencies and other international agents, alongside opponents to the war within Israel itself — intent on detailing Israel's culpability, the reaction in Tel Aviv has been to obfuscate. Ministers there have suggested that there is no hunger in Gaza and even if it does exist it is not Israel's fault; rather, the blame lies with Hamas and the UN or the many aid organisations trying to provide both food and succour to the Palestinian people. As far-right members of Benjamin Netanyahu's government remain unapologetic about policies seemingly intent on wreaking starvation, disease, ethnic cleansing, and genocide on the people of Gaza, official Israeli denials ring hollow. Government claims that 'there is no famine in Gaza — there is a famine of truth' are palpable nonsense and illustrate clearly that the Netanyahu administration is deceiving itself and its people and attempting to do the same to the rest of the world. Thankfully the international community is having none of this guff and its ratcheting up of pressure on the Israeli government has at least provided the respite of 'military pauses' which are at least proving a small window for aid to get through. But that pressure has to be maintained and intensified if Israel is to be prevented from committing war crimes far greater than anything it has heretofore been accused of. Make them stars The success of the Women's European Championships — which ended with overall victory for England — highlighted not only the massive growth in popularity of women's sport, but the increasing feeling here in Ireland that we need to be part of the bigger picture. While we have for years been able to savour the skills on display in our native camogie and football codes, the international successes Ireland has recently enjoyed in soccer, horse racing, rugby, golf, hockey, swimming, and athletics — to name a few — have increased the profile of our sportswomen to hitherto unprecedented levels. There seems little doubt that women's sport is going to be one of the biggest growth segments in sport worldwide and Ireland has the opportunity to play a huge role in that. Historically we have not properly exploited the successes of such as Katie Taylor, the late Maeve Kyle, Sonia O'Sullivan as much as we did those of Barry McGuigan, Ronnie Delaney, Stephen Roche, and many others. A weekend event in Páirc Uí Chaoimh promoting involvement and demanding investment was a wonderful occasion. But the idea of creating many more world-beaters is even better. It is to the nation's eternal shame that the equal rights as specified in the 1916 Proclamation were never fulfilled — but women's sport represents a new, bright horizon. To properly mine the current and future successes of Irish women across the sporting spectrum, massive investment is needed to not only increase participation, but to find those future stars who will make Ireland an exemplar of equal opportunity. Read More Irish Examiner view: This may be the dawn of the clean energy era
RTÉ News
3 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Tánaiste to convene Trade Forum meeting on EU-US deal
The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Harris is to convene a meeting of the Government Trade Forum on Friday to provide an update on the trade deal between the EU and US. The group is comprised of State agencies, business groups, unions and senior ministers. Mr Harris will use the forum to give an update on the latest analysis of the agreement and its implications. The meeting will also provide an opportunity for the Tánaiste to hear from stakeholders. Mr Harris said: "As we continue to analyse the full implications of the deal over the coming days, the Trade Forum meeting on Friday will be a timely opportunity to share and gain insights on what this deal will mean for the future of Irish businesses, jobs, and the economy." "Whilst the agreement between the EU and the US is welcome, we know that the imposition of any tariffs will have implications and that now is the time to intensify efforts to find and secure more markets for Irish businesses and Irish jobs," he added. The Tánaiste is also set to update the forum on other issues including plans to accelerate the passage of the Arbitration (Amendment) Bill 2025, which will allow for the ratification of the EU-Canada trade deal, known as CETA. It follows the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs and Trade Committee's decision to waive pre-legislative scrutiny of the bill following a request from the Tánaiste. An update will also be provided on the decision to defer the implementation of alcohol labelling following concerns raised at the trade forum around the potential of the labelling to impact competitiveness.
The Journal
4 hours ago
- The Journal
Man sentenced to death by Lebanon court over killing of Irish soldier Private Seán Rooney
A NUMBER OF people have been convicted for the murder of Irish Defence Forces Private Seán Rooney in Lebanon, Tánaiste Simon Harris has said. Private Rooney, 24, from Newtowncunningham, Co Donegal, was killed while serving in Lebanon when his UN peacekeeping convoy was attacked on 14 December 2022. The shooting, near the town of Al-Aqbiya in the south of Lebanon, a stronghold of militant group Hezbollah, resulted in the death of Private Rooney while Trooper Shane Kearney, 22, was badly wounded. A Military Tribunal in Beirut today convicted one main defendant, Mohammad Ayyad, for the murder of Private Rooney and has sentenced him to death, The Journal understands. It is further understood that Ayyad, a member of Hezbollah, was absent from today's proceedings. The militant group has rejected responsibility. A number of other defendants were also convicted today for the murder of Private Rooney. In a statement, Tánaiste Simon Harris expressed disappointment over the sentences imposed on the other defendants. He said he was informed that a hearing was held today by a military court in Beirut, which was originally set to take place in September. While welcoming the convictions and noting the sentence handed down to Ayyad, Harris said he was 'disappointed and share the disappointment of Private Rooney's family at the lighter sentences imposed on a number of those convicted today'. Advertisement The Tánaiste, who is also the defence minister, did not immediately detail the sentences handed down to Ayyad and the others who were convicted today. 'Seán Rooney made the ultimate sacrifice in the noble pursuit of peace,' Harris said. 'This is a difficult time for his family and his colleagues, especially those who were injured that night. All our thoughts are with them at this time.' The Irish Government previously criticised the delays in the Lebanese case against the people suspected of involvement in the murder of Private Rooney. Israeli attacks on south Lebanon caused disruption to the communication networks and impeded the delivery of legal documents. Harris visited Beirut in March and met with the Lebanese foreign and defence ministers, where he voiced his frustration and criticism over the handling of the case and the slow pace of proceedings. He today acknowledged the decision to bring forward proceedings. He said the Irish government were determined to bring those responsible for Private Rooney's murder to justice. Department of Foreign Affairs officials, members of the Defence Forces, the Irish Ambassador and Honorary Consul to Lebanon and the department's Lebanese lawyer attended today's hearing along with a member of Seán's family. 'Finally, I appreciate that this is an incredibly difficult day for the family of Private Rooney,' Harris said. 'None of us can fathom their unimaginable pain and grief and all my thoughts remain with them at this time.' With reporting by Niall O'Connor Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
