President’s UK visit provides opportunity to further strengthen trade links – Breen

Speaking ahead of President Michael D Higgins’ visit to the UK, Fine Gael Clare TD and Chairman of the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee, Pat Breen, said the trip provides an ideal opportunity to further strengthen our trade links with Britain, while also recognising the key role played by the Irish community in Britain.

“The importance of our economic links with the UK cannot be over stated; €1 billion worth of goods and services is traded between Ireland and the UK every week and an estimated 200,000 Irish jobs are supported by exports to Britain.

“The visit by President Higgins to the UK this week is not only significant in terms of the positive relationship that now exists between our two countries, it also provides an excellent opportunity to further strengthen our economic links with Britain. Enterprise Ireland is seizing the opportunity by hosting a networking event for Irish start-ups in London.

“The President’s visit will also be of huge importance to the Irish diaspora living in Britain. The story of the Irish in the UK is a varied one; Irish emigrants to Britain have had experienced many hardships and enjoyed many successes.

“The Irish community has left an indelible mark on the identity of a number of British cities. The President’s visit provides an opportunity for this entwined relationship to be reflected at the highest level.”

ENDS