Tuesday, 8 Jul 2025

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Questions (40)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

40. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach to report on his discussions with the new Canadian Prime Minister. [30341/25]

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Written answers

The Taoiseach

Ireland enjoys a deep and strong relationship with Canada, a country with which we share many values and are very often of like-mind. Increasingly that relationship has an economic focus.

I offered Prime Minister Carney my congratulations on his election victory and said that I looked forward to cooperating with him and with his new Government in the period ahead.

I have not had the opportunity to meet the Prime Minister in person since he took up his new role but I look forward to doing so at an early date.

Questions Nos. 41 to 64, inclusive, resubmitted.

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Questions (65)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

65. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the President of the European Commission in Brussels. [26978/25]

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Written answers

The Taoiseach

I met with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in Brussels on 8 May.

We discussed a range of EU and international issues and I briefed President von der Leyen on the priorities of the Irish government.

Our discussion included a focus on economic competitiveness and trade issues, and I expressed support for the measured approach the European Commission has taken in response to the imposition of tariffs by the US. I advocated for a negotiated solution that would bring benefits to firms in both the EU and US, and that recognises the closely integrated nature of global supply chains.

I also highlighted the need for an ambitious strategy for the single market, reducing red tape and administrative burdens, and making progress on the Savings and Investment Union.

I raised issues facing the agricultural sector, and that a vibrant sector is essential for our food security, the rural economy, and to meeting our environmental and biodiversity objectives. I stressed the importance of a strong and well-funded Common Agricultural Policy in the post-2027 EU Budget.

In our discussion of international issues I reiterated Ireland’s unwavering support for Ukraine. I also raised the deeply concerning humanitarian situation in Gaza, the unjustified blockade of humanitarian assistance, and the need for a review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement to examine compliance with human rights.

Questions Nos. 66 to 69, inclusive, resubmitted.

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Questions (70)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

70. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his call with Prime Minister Starmer on 13 May 2025. [26979/25]

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Written answers

The Taoiseach

I spoke by phone with the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer on 13th May.

The Prime Minister and I reflected on the constructive bilateral discussions held between the Tánaiste, Minister O’Callaghan and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn at the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference in April on legacy issues relating to the Troubles. The Prime Minister and I agreed that finding an agreed approach on legacy remained challenging for both Governments, and for all stakeholders, but if achievable, would be very significant.

The Prime Minister also gave an update on his Government’s then ongoing discussions with the European Union, ahead of the first UK-EU summit which subsequently took place on 19 May. The Prime Minister and I also discussed the ongoing political situation in Ukraine, including the Coalition of the Willing meeting that had taken place in London the previous Saturday.

Question No. 71 resubmitted.

Economic Growth

Questions (72)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

72. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the response to Ireland's Competitiveness Challenge 2024, published by his Department in November 2024. [30340/25]

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Written answers

The Taoiseach

The Government's response to the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council's Ireland’s Competitiveness Challenge 2024 report was published on 5 November last.

The Government's response was co-ordinated by the Department of the Taoiseach, drawing together material from relevant Departments. This was the fifth year in which a formal response was issued by the Government to the council's annual competitiveness challenge report. The response addressed the 20 recommendations made by the council to the Government.

I chaired our second annual Competitiveness Summit this week. In the context of international uncertainty including trade\tariff developments and international tax changes, and in advance of finalising the NDP Review and Budget 2026, the objective of the Summit was to focus on what Ireland can control. We discussed the forthcoming draft Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity, which is a commitment in the Programme for Government.

The Summit was briefed by Professor Frances Ruane, Chair of the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC) on their analysis and the recommendations in the Ireland’s Competitiveness Challenge 2025 report, published today. The Summit was also briefed by the Chief Executives of IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland on how Ireland can best respond to the needs of their client companies in the years ahead.

Questions Nos. 73 and 74 resubmitted.

Cabinet Committees

Questions (75)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

75. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on water quality will next meet. [32139/25]

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Written answers

The Taoiseach

The Cabinet Committee on Water Quality was established to coordinate water quality improvements across all sectors as part of the Programme for Government’s commitments.

The Cabinet Committee on Water Quality met on March 31 and June 19 to discuss and progress water quality improvement initiatives. This work is continuing and its next meeting will be scheduled in due course.

Questions Nos. 76 and 77 resubmitted.

Climate Change Policy

Questions (78)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

78. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach to report on the new climate investment clearing house. [32140/25]

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Written answers

The Taoiseach

The Programme for Government sets out a strong framework for climate action, aiming to secure a better, healthier and more resilient future for Ireland. It also outlines commitments to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and to take all necessary actions to ensure Ireland’s energy security.

Achieving these ambitious climate and energy goals will be challenging and will require a coordinated effort across the public and private sectors.

It is essential to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure that we have the necessary conditions in place to achieve this energy transformation in an effective, fair, timely, and sustainable manner, while maintaining the ongoing competitiveness of the Irish economy.

I plan to engage with public and private sector representatives shortly about how such a Clearing House could help to drive the development of offshore renewable energy, which holds such potential for Ireland.

Questions Nos. 79 to 81, inclusive, resubmitted.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (82)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

82. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach the reason the Government has not committed to a full independent inquiry on the Covid-19 pandemic; and if it will commit to such an inquiry. [32098/25]

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Written answers

The Taoiseach

The COVID-19 Evaluation, chaired by Professor Anne Scott, is an independent entity. It decides on all matters relating to its operation, including its procedures and its programme of work, and is guided by its Terms of Reference which are available on the Evaluation’s dedicated website, www.covid19evaluation.ie.

The most important objective of the exercise should be to learn for the future. Almost all COVID-19 inquiries/reviews/evaluations that have been, or are being, undertaken around the world have this as their central objective.

By taking a fact-finding and lessons-learned approach, the COVID-19 Evaluation has a greater chance of completing its programme of work in a non-adversarial atmosphere with the cooperation of relevant players. A non-statutory, expert-led, after-action review offers speed and flexibility and allows for both public and private information giving, as evidenced by the public consultation currently underway and the recent roundtable event with stakeholder organisations.

A statutory inquiry would have taken longer to establish and would have been a more burdensome process to administer.

While the COVID-19 Evaluation will exclude consideration of legal liabilities related to the management of the pandemic, it may identify specific matters which require further investigation through separate processes.

Questions Nos. 83 to 87, inclusive, resubmitted.

Departmental Priorities

Questions (88)

James Geoghegan

Question:

88. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the priorities of his Department’s housing and infrastructure unit [32279/25]

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Written answers

The Taoiseach

The Housing and Infrastructure Unit is part of the Economic Division within my Department. It supports me and the Government in delivering relevant commitments in the Programme for Government.

This includes supporting the work of the Cabinet Committees on Housing and Infrastructure respectively, which both work to ensure a coordinated, cross Government, approach to the implementation of Programme for Government commitments regarding housing and infrastructure policy.

As set out in the Programme for Government, Government is prioritising the delivery of housing and critical, growth enhancing, infrastructure. We recognise both as essential to our economy, our national competitiveness, and to meet the social needs of our country.

Questions Nos. 89 to 95, inclusive, resubmitted.