merrion street

• - Brexit will be a key focus of Minister Flanagan’s meetings
• - Minister will meet Hilary Benn MP; David Anderson MP; & the All Party Parliamentary Group on Ireland and the Irish in Britain
• - Minister will meet UK-based members of Ireland’s Global Irish Network and representatives of the wider Irish community in Britain

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan TD, has a busy programme of meetings and events in London today (Wednesday). The UK decision to leave the EU will be high on the agenda at his meetings with elected politicians and members of Ireland’s Global Irish Network. The Minister will also discuss broader Northern Ireland issues and will host an event marking the conclusion of the 1916 Centenary programme in the UK.

In Westminster, Minister Flanagan will meet with Hilary Benn MP, Chair of the House of Commons Select Committee on Exiting the European Union; and with the All Party Parliamentary Group on Ireland and the Irish in Britain. He will also meet with Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, David Anderson MP.

Speaking in advance of his visit, Minister Flanagan said:

“I have had a number of meetings with UK Cabinet Ministers David Davis, Boris Johnson and James Brokenshire regarding Ireland’s concerns and priorities in the context of Brexit. On this visit to London, I am looking forward to good discussions with Hilary Benn MP, Chair of the House of Commons Select Committee on Exiting the European Union, with Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, David Anderson MP and with the Westminster All Party Parliamentary Group on Ireland and the Irish in Britain.

“I see this round of meetings as a very important dimension to our engagement with the wider political community at Westminster and as building on my extensive contacts in recent months with each and every one of my 27 EU counterparts. I look forward to hearing the insights of each of the fourteen parliamentarians I expect to meet during this visit.”

Minister Flanagan will also meet with the UK-based members of the Global Irish Network. He said:

“Many of the Irish in Britain have achieved remarkable success in Britain. They, in many cases, are at the heart of decision making in UK businesses and I very much welcome this opportunity to hear their views, insights and experiences as we approach the six-month anniversary of the 23 June EU referendum”.

Finally, Minister Flanagan will address an event at the Irish Embassy to mark the end of the 2016 Commemorations programme in Britain.