275. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide an update on the efforts being made to establish an EU pharmaceutical taskforce by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32941/26]

Responsibility for Ireland’s engagement at EU level on the proposal to establish an EU pharmaceutical taskforce rests with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, who is leading on policy coordination and formal engagement with the European Commission.

In this context, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, together with the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, the Minister for Health, and myself, wrote to Executive Vice-President Šefcovic and Commissioner Várhelyi on 30 April 2026. This correspondence outlined Ireland’s support for the establishment of a structured dialogue or taskforce involving the Commission and Member States most impacted. The correspondence also highlighted the strategic importance of the pharmaceutical and medical devices sectors, and the ongoing challenges in the current international trading environment, including US tariff announcements and the Section 232 investigation.

The proposal emphasises the role of the life sciences sector as a cornerstone of EU competitiveness, economic security, and public health resilience, and notes the potential value of a dedicated forum to complement wider EU initiatives such as the One Market Roadmap, the simplification agenda, the proposed European Biotech Act, and reforms to the medical devices framework.

While the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade continues to lead Ireland’s engagement at EU level, my Department is actively contributing within its area of responsibility, including through close coordination with industry stakeholders and across Government.

Ireland will continue to engage constructively with the European Commission and other Member State partners to advance this initiative and to support a robust, innovative and globally competitive EU pharmaceutical sector.