Richmond hosts Brexit fact finding mission

Fine Gael Senator and spokesman on European Affairs, Neale Richmond, will host a two day fact finding mission of visiting MPs and academics from the continent, beginning tomorrow (Monday).

“This group of 25 colleagues will be traveling with the Hans Seidel Stiftung, a German think tank that brings together centre right MPs from across the EU to study the key issues facing the continent.

“For us in Ireland, there is no bigger issue facing Europe than Brexit and it is important we take every opportunity to underline the difficulties Brexit will pose to Ireland in order to maintain absolute solidarity.

“Among the group will be a former German Foreign Minister, a former Luxembourg Finance Minister and a number of key MEPs.

“The group will spend their first day touring the border region meeting political, community, farming and business representatives to learn first hand the key reasons why it is to maintain a seamless border on the island of Ireland.

“The second will be dedicated to a conference in Dublin looking at the most preferable post Brexit relationship between the EU and the UK as well as the potential economic impacts of Brexit with leading Irish economists.

“Brexit will be bad for Ireland no matter what, but we can at least limit some of the damage by negotiating a reasonable deal and maintaining solidarity with our European colleagues.

“Every opportunity must be taken to push this message and I look forward to hosting this important visit.”

ENDS