Taoiseach: Ireland must find new countries to trade with in order to keep jobs

Addressing his party’s Ard Fheis Micheál Martin said “short-term gestures” will not protect the economy given the current global uncertainty and instead action “as serious as the problems we face” is required.

Ireland must look to new countries to trade with if we are to keep jobs, the Taoiseach has warned.

Addressing his party’s Ard Fheis Micheál Martin said “short-term gestures” will not protect the economy given the current global uncertainty and instead action “as serious as the problems we face” is required.

Telling party members that he would not be flying budget kites, or “wasting time” attacking other parties, Mr Martin said: “Our only priority must be answering the needs of this time – and setting out a course forward for our country. Let others practice the politics of anger – the politics of exploiting people’s problems.

“Our duty, our obligation, is to do the much harder work of solving those problems.” 

During the televised address, Mr Martin acknowledged that many people are worried about the future, and stressed that a “new national effort” is needed to secure our ability to trade with the world.

“It’s not just about new industries – trade is essential for farming, rural communities and the agrifood sector. We export over €21 billion of food products to 180 countries across the world.

“We have to open new markets – reducing our reliance on traditional ones.

“We have to build up our presence and our political engagement with more countries.” 

 Citing the divisive Ceta deal, Mr Martin said there has been a fourfold increase in exports to Canada because of free trade but hit out at those continue to try to stop the ratification of the agreement which will secure this extra trade.

It’s a hard reality of politics today that so many parties ignore the economy.

Turning to education, Mr Martin strongly defended a ban on smartphones during school time.

“No App, and no AI model will ever replace the need to develop your own ability to reason and interact with others.

“That is why our decision to ban smartphones during school time is right and it is why we will continue to help schools to cope with disruptive developments,” Mr Martin said.