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Irish Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Drinks Ireland warned Taoiseach that alcohol health labelling plans seen as ‘trade barrier' by US
A drinks industry representative organisation warned Taoiseach Micheál Martin that plans for health labels on alcohol have been 'identified as a barrier to trade by the US' during a meeting sought to discuss the impact of US president Donald Trump's threatened tariffs. The meeting also heard that the industry was seeking a delay in the introduction of the planned labelling regime. The rules – which are to include cancer warnings – were due to take effect in May 2026. The Government decided on Tuesday to delay the measure for two years amid ongoing trade uncertainty. A report published by US trade representative Jamieson Greer's office at the end of March detailed what the United States regards as trade barriers worldwide. READ MORE The Irish plans for alcohol health labelling were included in a section on the European Union . The report notes that the US industry has 'raised concerns' that the intended unique labelling requirements in the Republic are in addition to EU-wide regulations and 'would be costly and may disrupt US exports within the EU single market'. Do Sinn Féin need to change tack after slump in the polls? Listen | 38:36 Drinks Ireland – part of business lobby group Ibec – met Mr Martin on April 11th, along with several alcohol producers. A note of the meeting released by the Department of the Taoiseach under the Freedom of Information Act says that Drinks Ireland highlighted how the labelling requirements were identified as a barrier to trade by the US. The note also said: 'The sector, while open to labelling requirements, was seeking some delay from Government on their introduction.' Mr Martin is said to have 'noted the comments of Drinks Ireland in this regard'. In response to an Irish Times query on the meeting, the department said that 28 of the 31 provisions in the Public Health (Alcohol) Act – which includes the labelling plans – have been started. These include 'major changes on advertising, sponsorship, retail display of alcohol, and alcohol promotions, as well as the introduction of minimum unit pricing. 'The Minister for Health is aligned with the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, and all Ministers on the need for a whole-of-Government response to trade and tariffs.' A Drinks Ireland statement said it welcomed the 'opportunity for ongoing engagement ... to avoid further escalation and to seek a negotiated resolution. The Irish drinks sector is export-focused, with €2 billion in annual exports, and the US market is critical for our members throughout the country.' The statement added that the sector is 'particularly exposed' to US tariffs. On Tuesday, Minister for Trade Simon Harris updated Cabinet on the ongoing trade talks between the EU and US to reach an agreement in advance of Mr Trump's August 1st tariff deadline. As part of this, Ministers were advised that the alcohol health warning labels would be deferred for two years to 2028, following concerns raised about the impact of their implementation in the current global trading environment. The delay is to allow industry, domestic and international, to prepare for their implementation. The Cabinet was told the decision follows concerns raised by domestic interests at the Government trade forum around the potential to undermine international competitiveness.
The Journal
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Journal
New poll reveals shift in attitude to law that would ban goods from illegal Israeli settlements
AROUND ONE-IN-three people believe that a new law that would ban Ireland from importing goods from illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine should be passed quickly. Another 14% believe the scope of the law should be expanded to ban services which originate from settlements, while one-in-five people believe the law should be approved as soon as possible. The findings were contained in an Ipsos B&A poll published by The Irish Times today, which canvassed opinions on the Occupied Territories Bill. The bill, a version of which was originally proposed in 2018, seeks to ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestine. It is being discussed at the Oireachtas foreign affairs committee to determine whether services should be added to the bill. The Irish Times poll found that over half of people are either not in favour of passing the law, or would prefer for the government to take more time to probe the consequences of passing it. Advertisement It comes after commercial lobbyist Ibec this week warned of the ban's economic impact. Most people have become hesitant over the quick implementation of the law. An overwhelming majority of people, 74%, are in favour of passing the bill – but a high minority of people, 38%, also said they want more scrutiny of it. According to the newspaper's commissioned poll, 17% of people did not know their stance or had no opinion, while only 10% of people were not in favour of the law. This week saw the US ambassador to Israel , American politicians, Israeli-relations lobby groups and business representatives warn of the potential impacts or retaliation that Ireland could face as a result of the trade ban. The government has said that it welcomes all views and opinions to the pre-legislative discussions, it does not intend to roll back on its promise to deliver the legislation - despite a push from the opposition benches that it is taking too long. The poll was conducted through face-to-face sampling through 1,200 interviews on 14 and 15 July. The accuracy is estimated at plus or minus 2.8%. A list of companies who operate in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and facilitate with the ongoing occupation of Palestinian land in the West Bank and the wide Israeli settlement movement, was published by the UN in 2020. 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
Irish Times
17-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Ibec head labels Occupied Territories Bill ‘symbolism and moral positioning'
The Republic's stand against Israel over Gaza and its failure to spend properly on defence are damaging its interests in the United States and with other EU member states, the head of Irish employers' association Ibec has warned. The Government's plan to pass legislation banning 'tiny' sums of trade with the Occupied Territories Bill is 'hypocritical', said Danny McCoy, the director general of Ibec . Last year, the State bought just €240,000 worth of goods from the Occupied Territories, he told the Patrick MacGill Summer School in Glenties, Co Donegal. 'We're not talking about millions here,' he said, adding: 'This is not about actually helping in any material way. It's symbolism and moral positioning, and so on. However, with moral positions, you can also reveal hypocrisy.' His comments follow a series of criticisms of the Bill by at least 10 members of the US Congress. The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, accused Ireland of suffering from 'diplomatic intoxication' in progressing something as 'stupid' as this Bill. READ MORE Taoiseach Micheál Martin yesterday rejected the ambassador's comments and outlined the 'very serious' situation in Gaza. [ Taoiseach rejects US politicians' claims that Occupied Territories Bill is 'diplomatic intoxication' Opens in new window ] However, he said legislation to boycott, divest or sanction activity against Israel could 'inadvertently' affect companies. It would be 'counterproductive' for Irish companies to be punished, he said, adding that the Government will consider and take a legal opinion on this. The proposed Bill is expected to go before the Dáil in the autumn. The legislation would prohibit trading with companies operating in illegal settlements in the West Bank and other occupied territories. At the summer school on Thursday, Mr McCoy said the State's stand on Israel is 'well-intentioned' but 'causing us significant damage'. The consequences are not just from the United States and the Israeli position, he said. 'We've been completely insensitive to our other European colleagues who've also had really significant issues.' All of them have had struggles with anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in their societies in recent years: 'They have to go sensitively through that, and particularly in Europe as well. But we seem to be insensitive to that kind of dynamic.' He said he has personally experienced the Republic's fall in standing among fellow EU member states over the issues. Meanwhile, Irish attitudes to its own defence spending, but also to the defence spending of others, is losing the Republic support among EU states. 'We don't have many supporters,' Mr McCoy said. 'In terms of the business and economics, our goodwill is eroding significantly and substantially.' Also speaking at the summer school, Prof Brigid Laffan, chancellor of Limerick University, said Ireland should be 'more hard-nosed' and not endanger its diplomatic capital by passing the Occupied Territories Bill. 'We're a small state. We've limited influence. We must use our influence cleverly,' she said. 'Symbolic politics might make us feel good about the world. But unless it changes people's lives on the ground, you should not expend hard-earned diplomatic capacity.' . She added: 'In a world of such utter uncertainty, drawing attention to yourself in Washington might not be smart.' Often people in Ireland want to 'assure ourselves that we're good people', but we need to be 'a bit more hard-nosed', she said. 'I know the reaction saying things like this in this country gets, but I think we have to be able to have those conversations.'
RTÉ News
17-07-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
No evidence of economic issues for Ireland with Occupied Territories Bill
Employers' group Ibec has been asked to present evidence following its warning that it would be "incredibly difficult" for businesses to implement a ban on services coming from the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Secretary General of Amnesty International, Agnès Callamard, said that Ireland is not putting itself at economic risk in the US by implementing a ban on goods and services coming from the Occupied Palestinian Territories, adding that there is more Ireland could do to sanction Israel for its conduct in Gaza and the West Bank. She said that the latest information was that there is no evidence that the implementation of the Occupied Territories Bill will result in economic problems for Ireland. Ibec Executive Director of Lobbying and Influence Fergal O'Brien told the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade that services coming from the Occupied Palestinian Territories were "incredibly hard" to identify. Ms Callamard called on IBEC to present evidence following its warning. Speaking to RTÉ's Morning Ireland, she said that at the moment, Israel has preferential treatment by the EU territory regarding trade. She said that this needed to be stopped, as Israel is violating the EU's own rules on human rights. "This issue is not about isolating or not Israel, rather the EU working according to its own rules and upholding the principles at the heart of the European Project. "Not one action has been taken to stop Israel. It is time to take action to protect people from complete annihilation, it is a genocide." She added that Ireland was showing leadership in this regard, but it must continue the process to adopt the Occupied Territories Bill. She said that this would allow Ireland to meet its international obligations under the ICJ ruling on trade with the Occupied Territories. "Ireland has shown repeatedly that it can stand up to bullies, and there is nothing else apart from bullying Ireland coming out of the US." She said that international law and the international system were being destroyed by a "bullying state" and that this was not acceptable.
Irish Examiner
16-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Lack of trained construction workers 'a major issue' in delivery of housing, report finds
There is a significant deficit of trained, qualified construction workers in Ireland, an Oireachtas committee has found. The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan (NDP) Delivery has published its first report, which identifies a number of areas of concern for Ireland's ability to build. In the report, the committee said employers' group Ibec noted the lack of trained construction workers was "a major issue", and in the region of 100,000 extra construction workers would be needed to meet the commitments in the NDP. Ibec also outlined the need to "build resilience into our materials supply chain", as shortages are deterring construction companies from bidding on certain projects as they "need to charge too much to cover their costs". Delays in projects due to the planning process were also flagged as a major issue, the committee said. These delays "make it unattractive for private companies to bid to deliver large-scale projects". The report said strategic infrastructure projects should be "flagged by the minister, and these should be expedited through the planning process, while having due regard to public consultation and environmental matters". The committee said all of its stakeholders highlighted the "urgent need for multi-annual funding for any infrastructure project". "Currently, funding is allocated on an annual basis. The lack of security of funding results in projects being delayed," the report said. "In some instances, construction companies have indicated an unwillingness to bid for projects if the future funding is not fully guaranteed. There is uncertainty within the bodies who are charged with delivering these projects. There must be certainty that the funding will remain available until the project is completed." The revised NDP is due to be published next week, and is expected to include a further almost €20bn investment in housing, energy, water, transport, and health digitalisation. However, the committee said while this represented an increase of 12% in spending, this was "not sufficient to meet the requirements of Ireland's growing population and inflation since the current NDP was published". "In addition, this €20bn will primarily come from windfall tax receipts from Apple and the sale of AIB shares. Funding key infrastructure projects of national importance should not depend on windfall taxes." The committee also said major issues in the planning system "can result in severe delays to projects, as any objection may result in a full judicial review and High Court proceedings, lasting several years". It added this "can result in a ripple effect where an environmental impact assessment may become out of date and have to be repeated after the judicial review has finished, adding to the delay". "Additionally, policies such as construction standards that were in place when the project was first mooted, may be replaced by new policies, again resulting in further delay. The common good should be given greater weight in the planning process. "It is the intention of the committee to examine planning regulations as they apply to large infrastructure projects, to explore this matter further."
