Ireland will ‘weather this storm’, says Enda Kenny amid US tariff fears

By Cillian Sherlock, PA

Younger generations should not “be afraid” of economic uncertainty facing Europe due to US tariffs, former taoiseach Enda Kenny has said as he predicted Ireland will “weather this storm”.

Mr Kenny, a former leader of Fine Gael, made the remarks after being awarded an honorary doctorate by Dublin City University (DCU) on Wednesday.

The doctor of philosophy (honoris causa) is the highest award DCU can bestow.

Mr Kenny became taoiseach in 2011, following the economic crash of late 2008 and the subsequent bailout and austerity measures which saw support for Fianna Fáil collapse.

He held the role until 2017 and was credited at the DCU ceremony for taking a leading role in decisions which led to a faster-than-expected recovery from the economic hardship.

The EU is currently attempting to negotiate with the US during a 90-day suspension of sweeping 20% tariffs imposed on exports from the bloc by President Donald Trump.

A lower “baseline” 10% tariff remains in place.

Mr Trump’s tariff regime has prompted significant concern over jobs, future investment and growth in Ireland.

Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Mr Kenny said: “The Government here have taken a very clear line on this – and Ireland will weather this storm. I have no doubt.

“Because if we’re good at anything, it is about relationships with others. We are a member, and a central member, of the European Union, and clearly the geopolitics has now changed, and Europe will strengthen its position across all sectors.

“While there are serious challenges here now, there are also immense opportunities. So for the young generation, I would say: Don’t be afraid of this, because in previous times, previous generations faced with what were seemingly overwhelming problems – and yet you come through that.

“You moved from a position back in 2011 of being practically junk status to within a decade becoming one of the wealthiest countries in the world.

“So you now face challenges of that nature – of a first world country.

“While the politics have certainly changed dramatically, Ireland as an entity, as a country and as a member of the European Union I have no doubt will look at the challenges that we face and make the right decisions in the interests of our people, the people of the European Union, and in our part that we have to play as a global player.”

Asked what advice he would give to the current Government based on his own previous interactions with Mr Trump, Mr Kenny said: “I met President Trump in the Oval Office in 2017
and I reminded him that the waters that divide us were the waters that brought the Irish to freedom economically, and the Africans to slavery – and that [Saint] Patrick was an immigrant.”

He noted some of America’s leading companies are made up of people who were immigrants into the US, and added: “Obviously, this president is very different, but his decisions are part of what the American people voted for – but maybe not to that extent.

“But in any event, you know Ireland as a political country, as part of the European Union, will play its part in leading into the future – and whatever that future holds, and whatever its challenges, you’ve got to meet them and make arrangements with the best interest of your people.”

Meanwhile, Mr Kenny reiterated he has “no intention whatsoever” of contesting the upcoming Irish presidential election.

“I always enjoyed visiting Aras an Uachtarain – I never had an intention of seeking to become a tenant there.

“That requires a very particular personality, and for me, who had the privilege and the honour of being taoiseach twice, I would have no intention whatsoever of competing for the presidency.”

Speaking at the conferring ceremony on Wednesday, DCU president Professor Daire Keogh said: “Enda Kenny displayed steadfast leadership during a time of national economic crisis.

“Under his government, Ireland exited the bailout programme ahead of schedule and saw a strong economic rebound, while avoiding the social unrest seen in other European countries at that time.

“As a statesman, his keen diplomatic skills succeeded in gathering the strong support of our EU partners for Ireland’s position during the Brexit negotiations, notably gaining consensus that a hard border in Ireland would threaten peace. This stance had a lasting impact, protecting Irish interests well beyond his term.”