logo
Tánaiste speaks with Maroš Šefčovič on EU-US trade talks

Tánaiste speaks with Maroš Šefčovič on EU-US trade talks

RTÉ News​11-07-2025
Tánaiste Simon Harris and EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič spoke by phone last night to discuss the latest developments in the EU-US trade talks.
The two discussed their shared desire for negotiations to conclude as soon as possible with the US on an agreement in principle on a mutually beneficial deal that works for both sides.
They also discussed the issue of pharma, acknowledging that uncertainty continues around the outcomes of the existing 232 investigations including on pharma.
In a statement, the Tánaiste said this is an area of significant concern to Ireland, adding that the Commissioner agreed it was important to continue to work together on these issues in the period ahead.
"The Tánaiste remains of the view that the continued uncertainty is bad for economic confidence and Irish businesses seeking clarity on the trading environment in which they operate," the statement said.
"However it remains his hope that both sides can work intensively and constructively to bring about, as soon as possible, a framework agreement, which would provide a base for continuing work."
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Coalition warned against diluting contentious Occupied Territories Bill
Coalition warned against diluting contentious Occupied Territories Bill

Irish Times

time18 minutes ago

  • Irish Times

Coalition warned against diluting contentious Occupied Territories Bill

The Government will be warned not to allow the potential for legal challenges to be used as an excuse to water down the legislation known as the Occupied Territories Bill . The Oireachtas foreign affairs committee will this week publish its report on a proposal to ban trade with illegally occupied territories in Palestine. The report, finalised on Friday, is understood to recommend widening the legislation to include a ban on services as well as goods. There have been stark warnings from business lobby groups that such a measure could damage the Republic's trading relationship with the US and cause economic harm to Irish businesses and households. The Occupied Territories Bill is now undergoing pre-legislative scrutiny Listen | 41:13 The committee will tell the Government to model the ban on trade with illegal settlements in Palestine on 2014 trade restrictions with Russia regarding illegally occupied territories in Ukraine. The committee, chaired by Fianna Fáil TD John Lahart , which did not have statistics on the volume of trade in services between the State and illegally occupied territories, will call on Minister for Trade Simon Harris to collate and publish such information. It will also tell Mr Harris to establish what kind of backlash the State would face in terms of trade and diplomacy should it ban trade with the occupied Palestinian territories. [ Republic joins 25 states urging end to Gaza war Opens in new window ] Ministers will also be advised to consider what defences could be available to a business charged with an offence under the proposed law. . It is understood that the committee believes further work is required from the Government before the law could be enacted. And it will ask that Attorney General Rossa Fanning's advice on the complex Bill is 'expedited' so it can move forward as a matter of urgency. During meetings before the Dáil rose for the summer recess, Mr Lahart was critical of 'misinformation' about the Bill and the State's motivation for passing it – much of which was repeated by senior US political figures. Chairwoman of US House Republicans Lisa McClaine described the Bill as a type of 'extreme anti-Semitic hate'. [ How life in the West Bank is deteriorating for Palestinians Opens in new window ] It is understood that the committee's report will call on the Government to explain the motivation behind the Bill to European Union and international colleagues, while also lobbying Brussels for further collective EU action against Israel. The committee will propose a Government-funded public communications campaign for domestic and international audiences to explain the facts of the Bill and to challenge misinformation spread about it.

Jim Power: Budget countdown begins with big promises
Jim Power: Budget countdown begins with big promises

Irish Examiner

timean hour ago

  • Irish Examiner

Jim Power: Budget countdown begins with big promises

The publication of the summer economic statement has set the budgetary process in motion, and the destination will be reached in early October. The two relevant ministers have outlined a budget package of €9.4bn, with a net tax package of €1.5bn, and an expenditure package of €7.9bn. This expenditure package will be comprised of current expenditure increases of €5.9bn or almost 75% of the total; and capital spending of €2bn or just over 25% of the total. Proposed Vat cut On the tax side, the Government has given a commitment to reduce the Vat rate for part of the hospitality sector — the food element — to 9% and this would cost around €580m in foregone taxes. If this is delivered and applies from January 1 next, it means that effectively less than €1bn would be available for personal tax changes. To put this in context, it is estimated that a 1% indexation of the employee tax credit would cost around €230m in a full year, so to index for projected inflation in 2026 would cost somewhere in the region of €460m; or a 1% decrease in the 40% tax rate would cost around €540m. If the government delivers the Vat cut from the beginning of 2026, which it has committed to, the tax package will be small. So not surprisingly, there are suggestions that the cut might be delayed until July, thereby significantly reducing the cost in 2026. If this transpires, the hospitality sector would have every right to be aggrieved. Restaurants and food businesses are the most crucial element of our tourism product, and many businesses are struggling to stay afloat. Inflation Data released by the CSO last week show that in 2024, Irish food prices are the third highest in the EU-27 and are 12% above the EU average. In the year to May, agricultural output prices increased by 20.7%, with cattle prices up by 48%. These prices obviously feed into restaurant input costs, but the pressures are compounded by labour costs, insurance, water charges, commercial rates etc. I am a supporter of the reduced Vat rate, and I think it is now more appropriate to provide some limited support to a key employer of people all over the country, and a vital part of the tourism offering, rather than to pump money through excessive expenditure into an economy that is still doing quite well. Does the Irish economic cycle need a continuation of out-of-control current expenditure now? I think not. Even if the Vat cut is pushed out, the extent of the easing of the personal tax burden will be miniscule. We should have learned from the past We should have learned our lessons from the pro-cyclical policies of the past. The summer economic statement projects planned expenditure of €108.7bn this year, which is €3.3bn higher than planned in Budget 2025, and it is likely to turn out even higher than this latest projection. Not surprisingly, the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council is not happy and has justifiably accused the Government of 'poor planning and budgeting.' Obviously, the ability of the two ministers to deliver the proposed budgetary package, and indeed to deliver the ambitious, but detail lacking, revised National Development Plan, will be heavily contingent on the future performance of the economy, and especially the actions of Donald Trump. Downward creep in projections There is not a lot of detail in relation to economic assumptions in the summer economic statement, but it is interesting to note that for 2025 the Department of Finance is projecting growth of 2% in modified domestic demand (MDD), down from 2.5% in April, and 2.9% in Budget 2025 last October. For 2026, MDD is projected to grow by 1.8%, down from 2.8% in April, and 3% in Budget 2025. There is downward creep occurring in Ireland's economic projections, which seems logical in the context of Trump-induced uncertainty. In relation to the National Development Plan, it is quite amazing that we must await detail on the projected spend until close to budget time. What in the name of God has been happening since January? The aspirations outlined in the revised plan — such as energy, water, housing, transport infrastructure, and climate change — are difficult to argue with, but delivery on time and on budget will be essential. One hopes there will be greater control, transparency and accountability in relation to National Development Plan delivery than we have seen with major infrastructure projects such as the children's hospital and the infamous bicycle shed.

INLA issue warning to ‘far-right gangsters' and ‘vermin' drug dealers
INLA issue warning to ‘far-right gangsters' and ‘vermin' drug dealers

Sunday World

timean hour ago

  • Sunday World

INLA issue warning to ‘far-right gangsters' and ‘vermin' drug dealers

Table and stares: armed masked men pose in front of starry plough flag associated with socialist republican groups The three masked men posing with weapons An armed republican group are allegedly warning 'far-right gangsters' and drug dealers they will be taking 'direct action' against them. A statement posted and circulated on social media includes a photo of three masked men posing with what appear to be automatic weapons fitted with silencers. A table in front of the armed men is draped with the starry plough flag usually associated with socialist republican groups. The statement suggests the group has already taken action against criminals in the Crumlin area of Dublin. A social media account supportive of the Irish Republican Party and slain Real IRA leader Alan Ryan posted the statement from the group 'reported to be the Dublin brigade of the INLA'. 'Our organisation has taken action in the Crumlin area, dealing with the antisocial behaviour that has plagued our community. 'As seen, we have taken direct action with housebreakers and other people attacking our community. We have the names of the individuals involved in these crimes against our people. We say to them: be warned, you're next.' The statement on Instagram The statement then turns to drug dealers in the area: 'The working-class communities have been hit hard with the rise of heroin, tablets, crack cocaine dealing, and drug intimidation. 'We reject these vermin; we ask the community to reject them.' Action 'We will be taking direct action with these parasites at the time of our choosing.' 'Our movement has continued to grow in numbers, with our community initiatives, rising numbers of youth coming into our ranks due to our sincere commitment to tackling community issues.' It is also suggested that the group are targeting members of the political far-right, accusing them of recruiting young people to carry out hate-crimes. 'Until now, we have been investigating and gathering intelligence on far-right gangsters trying to drag our youth to jail carrying out hate crimes. 'Our targets are far-right criminals hiking up hate within normal concerned Irish citizen protests.' 'We say to the working class: beware of your surroundings. 'Our volunteers are ready to deliver our response to all anti-community parasites. 'These perpetrators are a blight on our communities, and we ask those within the communities to be vigilant. 'We owe our allegiance to the working class. Saoirse go deo.' A spokesperson for Irish Republican Socialist Party said they were aware of the statement but as a legally registered political party said they had no role to speak on behalf of an armed group. Earlier this year another organisation calling itself the Republican Defence Army warned drugs dealers to leave the north-west of the country. The three masked men posing with weapons Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 27th

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store