merrion street

Minister of State for the Diaspora and Overseas Development Aid Joe McHugh T.D travelled to London today for a series of engagements with the Irish community, including the business community, and with British parliamentarians.

Minister McHugh met today with members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ireland and the Irish in Britain where he outlined Ireland’s concerns and priorities on Brexit..

This evening Minister McHugh will address the London Irish Construction Network in Westminster in a speech entitled “Navigating Brexit”.

Minister McHugh will outline in his speech the impact of Brexit upon Ireland:

“The European Union is one of the most successful peace projects of our time. It has been one of the most important elements of our own peace process in Northern Ireland and it has invested heavily both financially and politically in it.

“The Irish Government is fully committed to working with our colleagues in the EU and with the UK to maintain the hard won peace on our island and to ensure that the Good Friday Agreement is upheld.”

Minister McHugh also outlined the ongoing work of the Irish government to prepare for the negotiations ahead:

“Through a huge diplomatic effort we are engaging with our EU counterparts at all levels –the Taoiseach and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan have met, and continue to meet, with other EU Prime and Foreign Ministers.

“All of this work is helping to make others aware of the unique circumstances that pertain to Ireland and to Irish-British relations.”

Tomorrow Minister McHugh will visit the London Irish Centre to meet with the LIC welfare section, the Irish Elderly Advice Network, and the Irish Chaplaincy.