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The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Coveney is visiting London today. During his visit Minister Coveney will meet with Chancellor Philip Hammond, Secretary of State for Exiting the EU David Davis, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland James Brokenshire and Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee Tom Tugendhat as well as the leader of the Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn MP.

The visit is part of the Government’s ongoing exchanges with UK counterparts across all sectors. Minister Coveney will use this opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges facing the island of Ireland from Brexit. He will press home the importance for all sides, that sufficient progress be made in advance of the December European Council.

Speaking in advance of the visit, Minister Coveney said,

“I am delighted to get an opportunity to visit London once again to engage with our UK counterparts in a positive way on relations between our countries. While Brexit is the key issue that will affect both our countries over the next number of years, it is important that we continue to develop our bilateral relations further in other areas. Ireland strongly wishes retain its uniquely close economic, political, cultural and people-to-people links with Great Britain.

“However, it is vital that we continue to raise awareness of the unique circumstances faced by Ireland with Brexit. I will emphasise the importance of building momentum in first phase of the withdrawal negotiations on the issues of citizens’ rights, the Irish specific issues and the financial settlement in advance of the December European Council.”

During the visit Minister Coveney will also address the annual Enterprise Ireland Financial Services dinner. The Minister will engage directly with business to highlight and to outline the continued support that the Government and Enterprise Ireland are giving to companies in Financial Services.

Speaking in this regard Minister Coveney stated:

“The business links between Ireland the UK are deep and extensive, supporting 200,000 jobs in each jurisdiction, and I am delighted to have the opportunity tonight to engage with so many of the business community that provide the lifeblood for this relationship.”