Fine Gael believes in being at the heart of Europe – Heydon

Chair of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party and Kildare South TD, Martin Heydon, has said that Fine Gael believes in Ireland being at the heart of Europe, and that we will also work to maintain our strong relationship with the UK in the wake of their vote to leave the European Union.

“Fine Gael has always advocated for Ireland to be at the heart of Europe and this will continue. While I’m disappointed with the result, I respect the decision of the UK voters. We must now work to ensure that our strong relationship with the UK is maintained for the good of both countries.

“We value our close ties with the UK, and indeed they have strengthened in recent years. Through Fine Gael’s membership of the European People’s Party, the largest and most influential grouping in the European Parliament, Fine Gael will work with our European counterparts, as well as with the UK, to minimise the impact of this vote on Irish-UK trade, employment and travel.

“The Taoiseach emphasised this in his speech today and I know that at Government level, detailed contingency planning has been underway to minimise the impact of this vote on Ireland. The Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, is also in close contact with the Central Bank, the NTMA and our international partners to ensure that any short term volatility is managed in Ireland’s national interest.”