Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 October 2026
11. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for the up-to-date position on the tariff on Irish whiskey exported to the United States; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [69128/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIrish whiskey is one of our more successful indigenous exports, supporting jobs in distilleries, farming, rural communities and tourism. The recent announcement on the removal of US tariffs on Irish whiskey is very positive. People in the industry, however, need to see things move from an announcement to something concrete. Will the Minister give an update on the current position regarding implementation and any engagement the Government is having with the EU and the US on it?
I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Like all colleagues, I very much welcome the announcement by President Trump during his recent visit to Ireland regarding the elimination of US tariffs on Irish whiskey. As the Deputy said, this is a hugely important market for us. The US market, in particular, is a very strategic market for Irish whiskey.
Irish whiskey exports to the US in 2025 were worth €362 million, according to Eurostat data. This represents approximately 39% of overall whiskey exports, which is a huge amount when looked at on that scale. The elimination of the 10% tariff on whiskey will also amount to a saving of approximately €36 million for US importers of Irish whiskey. Again, that highlights the fact that tariffs do not benefit anybody. On the US side, there will be a saving of approximately €36 million. Given that it is such an important market for us, we want to keep those numbers high.
My officials continue to actively follow up on the technical implementation. Our team and embassy in Washington are in close contact with the Office of the United States Trade Representative on this. It usually takes time before adjustments can be made, but we are hopeful that we will see these brought in as soon as possible. While I cannot give a specific date, we are actively working and engaging on the matter.
The exemption from tariffs on whiskey shows a welcome for European spirits exported to the US. We want to continue to call for zero tariffs for all whiskey exports, not just for those of Ireland. This is in both of our interests. It remains a priority for the Irish Presidency, the European Commission and EU member states. We also want to see the full implementation of the EU–US joint statement and the extension of exemptions to other areas.
The last couple of months, in particular, have allowed us to get to a point where the relationship has stabilised. Last year was particularly turbulent but, with the Turnberry agreement and the recent ratification by the European Parliament, we are now in a position where the relationship is stabilising in a way that assists in getting us back to where we need to be, even though we might not like the legal direction or the positions that have been taken by the US.
Importantly, through the EU Presidency, my ambition as Minister for trade is to see what more we can do and what other industries we can support. Specifically for the whiskey industry, it was important that we achieved this given the all-island nature of it. Many people contributed to it.
While securing tariff-free access to the US is hugely important, there is also a significant opportunity for the future development of the Irish whiskey sector, as the Minister mentioned, through the whiskey technical file and the protection of Irish whiskey's geographical indicator. Many producers, farmers and other stakeholders believe the technical file can help to ensure that consumers, when they buy Irish whiskey, are buying a genuinely Irish product from Ireland, with stronger links to Ireland, including greater use of Irish-grown grain. That would only strengthen the premium reputation and the authenticity of Irish whiskey in the international market. It would also create additional opportunities for Irish tillage farmers and rural communities. Does the Minister agree that, alongside securing tariff-free access to the US, the Government could maximise export growth in Ireland by encouraging a stronger connection between the whiskey sector and Irish grain growers?
Any way in which we can highlight our produce that is home grown and directly connected to our food producers is a win-win for everyone here. I am not just talking about whiskey. I am also talking about food and other types of spirits we produce. There is a connectedness and when it comes to source to product, our country is seen as green, sustainable and one that applies the highest standards across the board. Therefore, we should take every opportunity we have to highlight our produce, farmers and excellent agrifood industry.
We want to expand and grow, so with 39% of our whiskey going to the US, there is an opportunity with zero tariffs to do even more, but we also want to make sure at the same time that we are advocating for produce at a European level because tariffs do not benefit anyone. They do not benefit the producers, individual countries or consumers or buyers of the products. We need to focus on how we can advocate for our industries at home and at a European level and that is exactly what I will be doing in the upcoming informal trade meeting, to which I will welcome colleagues from across the EU and from other parts of the world, and where the focus on the US and other countries will be a particular emphasis.
While the whiskey technical file might often been seen as led by the Department of agriculture, and we have shown it is hugely important for Irish whiskey exports, can co-ordinated efforts be made across government, whether in the Department of enterprise, foreign affairs or agriculture, to enhance the position of Irish whiskey and grain growers and to press it forward?
Second, to return to the question on tariffs, the Minister might not have a timeline for it today. What will be the next steps in bringing about that tariff-free access?
The co-ordination is already happening. The fact this was achieved, that there is an agreement with the US for Irish whiskey, came about not just because of political engagement from my side. I engaged directly with Mr. Jamieson Greer and the ambassador. The industry and agricultural sector engaged directly, as did the Taoiseach with President Trump. There has been a significant level of engagement from agriculture and trade and from the economic side of things by the Minister, Deputy Peter Burke, as well the representative organisations on the ground. That is the approach we are trying to take more generally.
I was in the US last week. In the new Ireland House, Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia, Fáilte Ireland, the consulate and the diplomatic teams are all working together in the same building. Where we can promote and work together on different issues, that is exactly what we are doing. That is to assure the Deputy that the co-ordination and co-operation, not only on whiskey but in every sector we are trying to promote and expand, is happening already. Our officials, in particular in Washington, are working around the clock to make sure this can come into effect as quickly as possible. While I cannot give a timeline, I hope to see it happen in the coming weeks.
