Letters to the editor
Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are selling out to multinationals at the expense of citizens says the PRO of Laois People Before Profit
Stephen Tynan PRO Laois People Before Profit
Dear Editor,
IRELAND’S future is at risk. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are selling out to multinationals at the expense of citizens. It’s time for change.
In the wake of President-elect Donald Trump’s recent victory, there are rising concerns that Ireland’s current government will prioritise multinational interests over the welfare of Irish citizens.
Simon Harris was notably among the first to congratulate Trump, a former president who carries a controversial and legally fraught record, raising eyebrows among many who view Trump’s policies as potentially damaging to Ireland's economic future.
This response from Irish leadership highlights a trend in the Irish government’s approach doing whatever it takes to maintain corporate favour, even if it risks sacrificing local interests.
Ireland’s heavy reliance on foreign direct investment and multinational presence has brought significant economic growth but also left the country vulnerable to external pressures, especially from the US.
If Trump follows through on his pledge to impose tariffs targeting the EU, Ireland could face harsh repercussions.
With its significant ties to American businesses, Ireland could become collateral damage in a US-EU trade standoff.
Harris’s quick endorsement of Trump has raised questions about whether the government is genuinely prioritising Irish interests or merely bowing to the whims of multinationals and foreign leaders. While many within the government, particularly those leaning right, may argue that strong US-Ireland business ties are essential, this close alignment with US multinationals and potential concessions to US agricultural interests might undermine Ireland’s economic sovereignty. For example, any future US-UK trade deal that weakens EU cohesion could have a chilling effect on Irish exports and put Irish farmers at a competitive disadvantage, especially if the UK accepts low-cost US agricultural products that don’t meet EU standards. This would erode Irish agricultural profits and harm rural economies, which rely on EU markets to protect their standards and pricing.
For years, the Irish government has walked a fine line between appeasing multinational interests and managing domestic priorities. However, by extending an eager hand to the incoming Trump administration, the Irish government appears increasingly willing to placate corporate interests at any cost, including that of the average Irish citizen.
Many believe that a government willing to put national interests second to multinationals, especially during turbulent trade times, will only exacerbate social and economic divides.
Ireland’s current leadership may be focusing on short-term gains by currying favour with the US, but this approach risks ignoring the long-term impacts on Irish sovereignty, rural communities, and the broader economy.
A different, more balanced approach could prioritise sustainable growth that benefits the people rather than prioritizing foreign corporate interests.
