I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 13, inclusive, together.

I attended the 2026 World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos on 21 and 22 January. My attendance at the forum is a useful opportunity to exchange views on key economic matters at a platform that brings together people from enterprise, politics, academia and media.

During my visit, I met with international and political leaders, including Prime Minister Mustafa of Palestine, who updated me on progress on the comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict and the very difficult situation in Gaza and the West Bank. We also discussed Ireland's support for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the Middle East and for the de-escalation of violence and military action. I reaffirmed Ireland's commitment to adhering to the UN Charter and international law. We both agreed that the work of the United Nations, particularly UNRWA, together with other humanitarian organisations and non-governmental organisations, is essential to confront the catastrophic humanitarian situation and to deliver life-saving assistance and essential services to the civilian population in Gaza, the occupied Palestinian territory and the wider region.

I also had bilateral meetings with senior representatives of multinational companies with operations in Ireland. These included Joel Kaplan, the chief global affairs officer of Meta; Apple CEO, Tim Cook; AstraZeneca chair, Michel Demaré; and Microsoft president, Brad Smith. I received updates on the progress of these companies with their respective Irish operations and their future development plans. Throughout those meetings, I reiterated the appeal of Ireland as a country to do business in, noting key initiatives such as our action plan on competitiveness and productivity, our action plan on market diversification, investment in infrastructure and our continued focus on providing an environment for world class research and innovation.

IDA Ireland had a strong presence at the World Economic Forum as part of its continuing work to attract inward investment to Ireland across a range of sectors. I gave a keynote address at the annual IDA Ireland dinner event for business leaders from various sectors, including manufacturing, chemical, technology and finance. This was a useful opportunity to hear directly from leaders about their plans for the period ahead.

As part of the official World Economic Forum programme I participated in a public panel entitled "Europe is Treading Water - How Can it Make Waves?" This discussion focused on European growth and competitiveness, with an exchange of views on economic challenges and opportunities for Europe. I discussed with fellow panellists the need to focus on European competitiveness during these times of geopolitical uncertainty and outlined Ireland's priorities for our forthcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of this year.

Even the multimillionaires are now saying that the inequality in wealth is obscene and that the rich need to be taxed. At the time of Davos, hundreds of multimillionaires, and even one or two billionaires, released an open letter to the Davos delegates saying there should be wealth taxes imposed on them. The inequality in wealth is staggering. The 11 billionaires we have in this country, a number that is growing each year, have the same amount of wealth as two thirds of the population. It is absolutely disgusting. It is corrosive of democracy and it is fuelling conflict all over the world. A small tax on these people could generate billions that could give working people relief from the cost-of-living crisis, as we have long argued. Does the Taoiseach agree, when even the billionaires and the millionaires are saying what we have been saying for many years, which is that we should have a tax on the super rich? This should not be on ordinary workers but on the top 1% who have more in this country than €4.5 million. A small tax to fund a little bit of relief for working people would be justified.

The World Economic Forum is a place where billionaires and multimillionaires gather together with Heads of Government and Ministers. It is a place where the policy interests of the billionaire class are transmitted to their political representatives, the likes of the Taoiseach. In this country, the richest billionaires we have, who obviously are not resident, are the Collison brothers. They, like many of the tech bros, share a libertarian ideology about deregulation of everything, so-called YIMBYism, which has the happy coincidence of also maximising their ability to maximise their profit. The Taoiseach denied earlier that the shed-sit idea has come from the Collison brothers. He might tell me where this idea did come from if not from the Collison brothers. I do not mean these in terms of family members but in terms of the idea of these becoming long-term rentals. It is clear if we check the record that it is coming from Progress Ireland, which is funded by the Collison brothers. Seán Keyes, the head of Progress Ireland, has claimed this idea, saying it played a role in this coming through, illustrative of the corporate capture of this Government.

I welcome the Taoiseach's report on his attendance at the World Economic Forum, and particularly the discussions he had on AI governance with multinational corporations and a lot of the tech companies. We have seen today the news about the loss of 720 jobs at Covalen, a subcontractor of Meta. As part of the Taoiseach's discussions at Davos, were there discussions about reskilling and retraining for people whose jobs may be replaced by artificial intelligence?

I welcome the Taoiseach's attendance at the World Economic Forum. It is an important platform for Ireland, particularly as part of the European Union where we benefit from being part of one of the largest and most influential trading blocs in the world. Our EU membership gives Ireland real weight on the global stage. It allows us to engage at forums like Davos, not as a small, isolated economy but as part of a powerful collective with real influence in trade and investment in global policy. In that context, it is important to acknowledge that without the European Union, Ireland would be far more limited in its ability to compete internationally, attract investment and influence global decisions. Given some of the anti-EU sentiment that has emerged in recent times, it is vital that we continue to clearly communicate just how important EU membership has been and continues to be for jobs, trade and economic opportunity. Can the Taoiseach outline how his engagement at Davos has been used to strengthen Ireland's position?

A key discussion point at Davos this year was energy security and electrification. Were there any discussions in relation to the decoupling of gas from electricity prices? We have seen wholesale electricity prices go up 19% already this month as a direct consequence of the invasion of Iran but we really have not seen the impacts of the invasion of Ukraine being rectified on the electricity market, and gas prices set our electricity prices at the moment. Has the Taoiseach had any discussions, either with President von der Leyen or anyone else, in relation to the decoupling of gas from electricity prices? Is it something he is going to prioritise as part of his Presidency coming up in July?

We heard earlier the impression some like to portray of the World Economic Forum. I noted that in some of the discussions the Taoiseach attended and some of the engagements he participated in, there was widespread discussion on the whole area of social cohesion. Could he outline today some of what was discussed in terms of developing further cohesion among all nations and across nations? He might extend that into some discussions there may have been around the cost-of-living pressures, including issues of poverty and inequality, with a particular reference to the increased effort Europe is making to increasing competitiveness and productivity, the reforms that are needed in that area and how it is going to make sure living standards are improved through them.

It is a number of months since the World Economic Forum in Davos. In the past few weeks, however, the Taoiseach has met the German Chancellor and we have had the German foreign minister here in Dublin. We now know that Germany has once again blocked even the most modest EU action to suspend the EU-Israel trade agreement, which grants preferential access to a rogue state that is systematically violating international law, human rights norms and the very terms of that agreement. At the same time, countries like Spain and Italy have taken unilateral steps and shown that action is possible. This Government has done neither. There have been no domestic sanctions, no leadership at EU level and no meaningful consequences from Ireland for Israel’s actions, its brazen contraventions of international law and its genocide. I want to ask the Taoiseach directly. Has he challenged Germany’s position and role in shielding Israel from accountability? Will he move on the occupied territories Bill? When will this Government finally take even the most basic, moderate steps of introducing real sanctions rather than continuing a policy of delay and inaction?

Recent announcements regarding job cuts at Meta and possibly at one of the outsourcing firms, Covalen, serves as another wake-up call for Government that we need to diversify the economy and build a new economic model to attract new strands of foreign direct investment, FDI. Many of these job cuts have been attributed to AI and automation but the Government cannot allow this to be catalyst for further job losses across the sector. We must ensure that Ireland remains competitive and an attractive destination for FDI. What is the Government doing to build a new economic model and economic resilience that is underpinned by good jobs?

We all accept that there has been an underestimation in relation to the cost of globalisation. Many see that their generation is now poorer than the generation before it. This is being exacerbated by artificial intelligence. We have seen the issue in relation to Meta and its subcompanies. We have seen 63 jobs lost in PayPal and, obviously, all that can be done has to be done for those workers. While I am told it does not relate to artificial intelligence, I think anybody who has seen job losses across the sector will accept that is the case. As much as there is hope into the future in relation to jobs that will be created, we need to look after those who need jobs now alongside the fact that the jobs people have do not necessarily have the same spending power they need. This is why we need cost of disability supports.

I thank all the Deputies who have raised issues on this basic question, the first of whom was Deputy Boyd Barrett. Overall, it is interesting that Deputies Boyd Barrett and Murphy look at Davos through a certain prism. In terms of taxing the wealthy, the reality is that one third of tax revenue now is corporate tax. A lot of the companies I met in Davos pay huge amounts in corporate tax to the Irish Exchequer. Those are the realities-----

The Taoiseach should see their profits

As corporate tax-----

Look at their profits.

It is one third and it underpins a lot of spending on public services. Deputy Boyd Barrett's view is to attack them. That is his view. He does not really think they have value in the Irish economy even though some of them have been here for 50 years in terms of pharmaceuticals and life sciences. Many of them have been here. Microsoft came in in 1985. I go to Davos, as do the Irish Government and the IDA, to keep identifying and profiling Ireland's proposition and position and also to advocate for Ireland to make sure there are further investments coming to Ireland and to maintain the contacts. A lot of workers in our economy are working in those companies the Deputy would like to tax out of the country. That is the reality, and that is what the Deputy is proposing. Deep down, the Deputy does not really worry too much about the workers in those companies. I have never heard anything from Deputy Boyd Barrett or Murphy in any shape, sense or form that would underpin those workers in those companies.

Deputy Boyd Barrett spoke about the workers today.

I talked about Kilmainham today.

I have never seen it.

Excuse me, Deputy-----

It is a very anti-worker perspective in terms of the Deputies' attitude to the companies I am talking about more generally-----

He has to repeat the Kilmainham workers, though.

-----and the industry and the sector.

Taoiseach, I am sorry. One second-----

If I could, through the Chair, say that Deputy Boyd Barrett raised the issue of equality. Ireland is more equal than most, actually, because of our progressive taxation system. In fact, there are a lot of people railing against that now on various platforms and media saying that we are overtaxing but Ireland is a much more equal society than others because of a progressive income tax system.

On Deputy Murphy's remarks, I do not represent any billionaire class. That is just nonsense. It is stupid stuff to be articulating in here. People are really fed up with that. I just represent the country. I represent the working people of this country. I said this to the Deputy before. I remember the 1980s here when we had 17% unemployment. That is what motivates me to participate in these events and to always be hungry for more investment and more jobs in the country. I notice today the Collison brothers are in his target zone. They are his new target. They came through the Young Scientist competition many years ago as young leaving certificate students and one of them won it. They are particularly bright and able. They created a world product that is global in its reach and that is impactful. A lot of people celebrate that, and that is a very good achievement for them. They have brought back some of that investment to Ireland both in terms of the company and employment and in terms of investment in biodiversity and other projects. That is a positive. They do not have to.

There are many authors of the units in the back gardens and so on.

They are one of them.

There are ten other Deputies who are able to keep their mouths shut.

The humble TD has been as proactive about the back garden as the Collison brothers have. I will put it that way to him.

For the family members, not for renters.

It is not a new idea.

Deputies, please. You are not special.

Deputy Ó Cearúil raised an issue. I was thinking of Mourinho when the Ceann Comhairle said that.

Deputy Ó Cearúil described himself to me as the Maradona of Kildare hurling one time but anyway. I should not be betraying private conversations but there you are. Apparently, he was.

On the more serious issue of AI, we have the national AI strategy. The Minister, Deputy Lawless, as Deputy Byrne has raised, is on the skills side. The IMF said we are well positioned from a skills perspective, but AI is coming fast. There was not as big a discussion at Davos, in the events I attended. However, there have been significant discussions, particularly when I was in America in March, and some of the people that we sound out there are saying it will be very impactful, AI will change the nature of work and we need to be ready for that. We need to work on that very quickly and very effectively. There may be alternative jobs created but we have to ensure that. We have to make sure that we attract AI investments to the country as well, and at all levels, from research to skills, to basic literacy in society and to SME adopting AI. So far, a lot of SMEs are adopting AI. Our AI literacy levels are relatively high. Per capita , we have one of the most skilled AI workforces in the world. We are well positioned in many respects.

The problem will be that AI will replace a lot of functions and activities and that will have an impact on employment. We are beginning to see signs of that. We need to be careful that we do not pin everything on AI in terms of some of the job announcements that we have witnessed because we also have positive job announcements. There are some very positive investments still happening.

There are still ten Deputies. The Taoiseach has four and a half minutes.

Okay. I was dealing with Deputy Ó Cearúil and Deputy Byrne there as well. In response to Deputy Byrne, the National Economic and Social Council came through Cabinet today. It has a very good report on AI, which we will be publishing imminently and is well worth a read.

In response to Deputy McCormack, I am absolutely clear that EU membership is critical to Ireland, as is the EU Single Market. Parts of the EU Presidency will be deepening the Single Market and moving from a single market to one market is the objective. The competitiveness roadmap has been outlined by the European Council and by the Commission. It will fall to Ireland to implement many of the 17 files that they have identified as critical, from the savings and investment union to the 28th regime to enable SMEs to start up quickly across Europe. We have a lot on the agenda. We will go at it very determinedly in terms of the competitiveness agenda and in doing so, strengthen Ireland's position because we have always benefited ultimately from the Single Market, the Common Market and a one-market approach.

The decoupling of gas from energy prices, to answer Deputy Whitmore, was not discussed at great length at Davos - not at the events I was at - but it is being discussed. It has been discussed over the last five years at the European Union. The Iberian Peninsula, because of the very heavy preponderance of renewables there, was in a position in some instances to decouple. We have put that to the President of the European Commission, Dr. von der Leyen. She has looked at it. It is very complex. It is not simple or straightforward. It is an issue I have raised consistently over the last number of months. Some 50% of our electricity generation is now from renewables. We are making good progress onshore but it will be some time before we get the offshore wind generation through. That is still a work in progress because if you could disconnect gas, it would help in reducing prices more generally.

In response to Deputy Connolly, at these events social cohesion is always an issue, and is always something that is discussed, as is the issue of research and development and competitiveness.

The other issue was the pace of change within Europe itself. There is a general view that Europe is too bureaucratic. For instance, most of the industry people I met felt that Europe was not as competitive as China, not as competitive as Asia and not as competitive as the US on many fronts, particularly on AI but also in other areas in terms of technology more generally. Some companies say they do not launch technology products in Europe and when they are doing a world launch, they exclude Europe because they feel it would be too difficult. That tells a story that should worry Europe in terms of its competitiveness.

In response to Deputy McGuinness, Ireland has taken steps with Spain. The way the Deputy presents the Ireland position on the Middle East defies what actually has happened. When I met Prime Minister Mustafa, all he said to me was, "Thank you for Ireland's stance." We should listen to the Palestinian representatives and Palestinians generally, who are very appreciative of the efforts of the Irish Government and the Irish people towards their situation. I have engaged with the German Chancellor and others to try to persuade people. Germany has a particular historic perspective in respect of the Middle East and that has governed that country's position in relation to it. However, it is very strong, to be fair to it, on the humanitarian side and probably gives more than most in terms of contributions on that front. There is an issue, however, which I discussed only recently, at the Council last week, in terms of the Israeli behaviour in Gaza, but also in Lebanon.

In response to Deputy Conway-Walsh on the need to diversify, I think I have covered that with Deputy Ó Cearúil. We have to remain competitive. We are attracting more AI investments into the country. There is a race on to be competitive here and there will be impacts. As Deputy Ó Cearúil said to me earlier, re-skilling and re-training will be key to it.

In response to Deputy Ó Murchú, globalisation is not over. If you were a rural inhabitant of China, you might think globalisation was a good thing. Half a billion people have been lifted out of poverty in China. It is still a work in progress.