Tánaiste to tell Cabinet tariffs will remain regardless of EU-US deal

Simon Harris is expected to continue his engagement with EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic at the EU’s foreign affairs council later this week

Mr Harris is to update Government on the progress of EU-US trade talks, in the wake of an agreement being signed between the US and Britain last week. Picture: PA

Tariffs are likely to remain in place even if the EU is able to reach a deal with the US, Tánaiste Simon Harris is set to tell Cabinet.

Mr Harris is to update Government on the progress of EU-US trade talks, in the wake of an agreement being signed between the US and Britain last week.

The foreign affairs minister is due to tell Cabinet that the US-UK agreement will formalise and solidify tariffs, it is understood.

This is despite both Ireland and the EU seeking a free trade deal which removes barriers as well as lowers, or in some areas, abolishes tariffs altogether.

However, Mr Harris will say that an initial analysis of the deal does appear to have averted the prospect of different tariff rates on both sides of the border.

It’s understood the Tánaiste has been in contact with EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic in recent days, after the Commission revealed its proposed countermeasures, to outline Ireland’s position.

It’s expected there will be further engagement with Mr Sefcovic at the EU’s foreign affairs council later this week.

The Cabinet will also be updated by education minister Helen McEntee on Leaving Cert reform, which is due to begin its first phase this September.

The reforms include project work, known as additional assessment components, to be worth 40% of a students total grade in a subject.

Both teacher unions, the ASTI and TUI, are due to ballot their members on the proposals after new supports were confirmed.

Additionally, health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill will ask the Government to approve the new 2025 Sláintecare implementation plan, alongside the 2024 progress report.

It is understood the progress report outlines a reduction in cumulative daily trolley counts by 11% compared to 2023, despite an 8% increase in patients attending emergency departments.

It also details that 95% of GPs have signed up oto the chronic disease management programme, with 650,000 patient reviews last year.

Meanwhile, housing minister James Browne will seek Cabinet approval to extend the First Home shared equity scheme for another two years, alongside providing a further €30m in funding.

A Government source said the extra funding will match commitments by banks participating in the scheme – AIB, Bank of Ireland and PTSB.