In the same way that Brexit introduced a new level of challenges to Irish industries and businesses, the new tariff regime will require the Government to act similarly — by introducing supports — if widespread job losses, factory closures, and business shut-downs are to be avoided. Our pharmaceutical industry remains our biggest sector vulnerable to the capriciousness of US economic policy.
It will take some time for the effects of this deal to percolate down through our exporters, whatever products they are engaged in manufacturing, and to see which of our manufacturing businesses are going to take the biggest hits.
While we can console ourselves that the outcome was not as bad as it might have been, even for the business that see it as a successful conclusion to talks it still represents a considerable threat to their wellbeing as industries and therefore the job security of the employees.
The Government has a limited pot of cash to provide the necessary supports, but must clearly target those sectors — and jobs — where the risks are greatest.
Even in a best-case scenario turbulent economic times lie ahead and dropping the ball could be catastrophic. Swift and decisive interpretation of the tariffs is needed to identify where we most need to provide resources to sustain businesses and employment.
Make them stars
The success of the Women’s European Championships — which ended with overall victory for England — highlighted not only the massive growth in popularity of women’s sport, but the increasing feeling here in Ireland that we need to be part of the bigger picture.
While we have for years been able to savour the skills on display in our native camogie and football codes, the international successes Ireland has recently enjoyed in soccer, horse racing, rugby, golf, hockey, swimming, and athletics — to name a few — have increased the profile of our sportswomen to hitherto unprecedented levels.
There seems little doubt that women’s sport is going to be one of the biggest growth segments in sport worldwide and Ireland has the opportunity to play a huge role in that.
Historically we have not properly exploited the successes of such as Katie Taylor, the late Maeve Kyle, Sonia O’Sullivan as much as we did those of Barry McGuigan, Ronnie Delaney, Stephen Roche, and many others.
A weekend event in Páirc Uí Chaoimh promoting involvement and demanding investment was a wonderful occasion. But the idea of creating many more world-beaters is even better.
It is to the nation’s eternal shame that the equal rights as specified in the 1916 Proclamation were never fulfilled — but women’s sport represents a new, bright horizon.
To properly mine the current and future successes of Irish women across the sporting spectrum, massive investment is needed to not only increase participation, but to find those future stars who will make Ireland an exemplar of equal opportunity.
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