merrion street

• Series aims to help employers manage Brexit
• 120+ guests attend series launch at Iveagh House

This morning (Thursday) at Iveagh House, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charles Flanagan TD, launched a series of British Irish Chamber of Commerce seminars aimed at informing and assisting businesses following the outcome of the UK referendum on EU membership. This event, attended by over 120 guests, forms part of the government’s ongoing close engagement with stakeholders in the context of Brexit.

Minister Flanagan welcomed the panel of speakers, including Julie Sinnamon (CEO of Enterprise Ireland), Jeremy Browne (City of London representative to the EU) and senior figures from Eversheds, Sanderson and Deloitte.

Referring to his recent visit to the United States where he undertook a wide range of bilateral meetings with countries from Asia Pacific and Central and South America as well as addressing business audiences and the Irish American community, Minister Flanagan stated:

“Brexit is not just a British, Irish or European issues, but a global one. I spent last week in the New York at the United Nations General Assembly, where I had an opportunity to take the temperature of partner countries, and Irish-American business and community leaders. … There is huge interest in Brexit in the US, from both a political and business perspective and an impressive degree of understanding of Ireland’s particular concerns.”

Minister Flanagan assured the audience that “the engagement at political level is extensive; it is thorough; it is sustained - and it will stay that way. The same applies to business community engagement and this morning’s event is further evidence of that.”

He referred to the government’s economic and trade priorities and the valuable role of the Export Trade Council:

“On the economy and trade, it’s about protecting and growing that dynamic €62 billion a year trading relationship with the UK, while at the same time helping Irish companies to break into new markets and we are busy advancing that agenda.

“The Export Trade Council proved a valuable forum for discussion and idea sharing in the lead up to the Referendum and I know it has an important role to play in the time ahead. For example, its next meeting in October will focus on markets in Asia-Pacific and how best Ireland strengthen its market presence in that region.”

Minister Flanagan summarised Ireland’s priority areas of concern in the Brexit process as “Northern Ireland; the Common Travel Area; the economy and trade; and ensuring a strong, outward-looking and results-driven EU with Ireland at the heart of it.”

He referred to the importance of Oireachtas engagement and North South engagement in the time ahead:

“I was pleased to address the Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement on Tuesday where Brexit was very much on members’ minds. Our own TDs and Senators were joined by several Northern Irish MPs for the discussion and their presence was most welcome. I look forward to further engagement with that Committee and with the Oireachtas in general in the period ahead.”



Notes for Editors:
- The Export Trade Council is chaired by Minister Flanagan and its members include the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Minister for Education and Skills, the Minister of State for Development, Trade Promotion and North-South Co-operation, the CEOs of Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Bord Bia, Tourism Ireland and Science Foundation as Ireland, and officials from other Government Departments and representatives from the private sector.

- The British Irish Chamber of Commerce will be running a series of Brexit events over the coming months. See www.britishirishchamber.com for further details