Irish Foreign Affairs Minister In Belfast For Brexit Talks

Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney TD, is in Belfast to discuss Brexit with academics from Queens' University and Ulster University and to meet with members of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce.

Ahead of the meetings Minister Coveney said: "Queen's University and Ulster University each have a wealth of expertise, insight and active research underway on the serious issues that Brexit presents for Northern Ireland and for the island of Ireland. These are valuable inputs for the Government's continuing consultations on Brexit, and I look forward to hearing them at first hand."

Commenting on meetings to be held with the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce, Minister Coveney added: "My engagement with members of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce will focus on their views and concerns on the impact of Brexit across all sectors and regions.

"The Government is maintaining its dialogue with business and civil society across the island, as we work to deal with Brexit, including through the ongoing EU-UK negotiations.

"As Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for Brexit, I want to continue to hear directly the concerns and ideas of Northern Ireland's business representatives.

"I will be seeking the views of the Chamber members on the serious issues that arise for the island of Ireland, as the UK negotiates its departure from the European Union. I will be urging the Chamber to continue to make their voices heard with other political leaders at this critical time.

"Our current border arrangement have been a vital part of our shared peace and prosperity. And the best way to ensure we preserve the status quo that has served us so well is for the UK and Northern Ireland to remain in the Customs Union and Single Market.

"I will also discuss with the Chamber the Government's objective that there should be no other impediments to the all-island economy which has been able to develop over the last two decades and which is a gain of the peace process that benefits communities across the island."

(MH)