300. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the extent to which recent developments in Ireland’s external trade performance, including the decline in exports in April 2026, reflect underlying concentration risks in key sectors and markets; the implications this may have for the resilience of Ireland's export base; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49859/26]

Monthly export data can be volatile and should be interpreted with caution. Recent declines in export values appear to reflect, in part, the unwinding of exceptionally high pharmaceutical exports that had been brought forward in anticipation of potential changes in the international trading environment.

My Department is acutely aware of the risks posed by adverse global trade developments, particularly given the significant contribution made by multinational enterprises to Ireland’s economy. In response, the Government is pursuing a coordinated, whole-of-Government approach to strengthen the resilience, competitiveness and diversification of the Irish economy.

My Department’s Statement of Strategy 2025-2028 prioritises investment in innovation, digitalisation and infrastructure to support sustainable, high-quality employment and long-term economic competitiveness. Complementing this, the Government’s Action Plan on Market Diversification seeks to expand export opportunities and reduce over-dependence on individual markets, while Enterprise Ireland continues to support greater diversification across sectors, regions and export destinations.

Ireland’s trade policy also plays a central role in supporting economic resilience. Ireland strongly supports an ambitious EU trade agenda that advances new Free Trade Agreements and secures provisions that facilitate economic activity and trade across all regions of the country, while also providing improved market access for our agricultural sector and rural communities.

As a member of the EU, Ireland benefits from access to the largest trade network in the world, with agreements covering over 70 countries and providing preferential market access for Irish businesses. This network continues to expand, creating new opportunities for exporters and reducing reliance on any single market. During Ireland’s EU Presidency, we will continue to promote measures that support market diversification and strengthen economic resilience.

In addition, the Government’s Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity sets out a range of domestic measures designed to enhance Ireland’s competitiveness and capacity to withstand economic shocks.

Taken together, these measures support the Government’s long-term objective of ensuring that Ireland remains agile, competitive and well positioned to prosper in an increasingly uncertain and contested global trading environment.