The Chamber

Tánaiste highlights growing importance of French relationship in context of Brexit

Dublin - 7th March 2018: Tánaiste Simon Coveney, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Trade, was the guest speaker at the France Ireland Chamber of Commerce Business Lunch, where his comments focused specifically on Brexit and the importance of Ireland’s strengthening relationship with France. 

"The strong economic links we enjoy today have a sound foundation going back decades, even centuries. I want to assure the France Ireland Chamber that we are not going to turn our backs on history. Regardless of Brexit, our common European future is assured. We have now entered a key phase in the Brexit negotiations and it is essential that the unity of the EU27, which has worked so well to-date, be preserved."

The French Government was represented by H.E. Stéphane Crouzat, Ambassador of France to Ireland. “Although the Brexit negotiations are demanding, it is fundamental that they do not absorb all our political resources. We must keep on building up the EU, deepening the Single Market, progressing on the Banking and the Capital Market Unions. It is equally important that European citizens and companies keep on intensifying their bilateral relations, taking advantage of the unique features offered by the Single Market,” he remarked.

The Minister’s attendance is seen as an acknowledgement by the Irish Government of the growing importance France represents for Irish goods and services particularly due to the many unknown Brexit factors.

“The France Ireland Chamber of Commerce (FICC) is experiencing a significant surge in inquiries about opportunities and challenges for bilateral trade between France & Ireland due to the Brexit factor. This has resulted in new memberships from organizations who want to understand and embrace this period of change”, explained FICC President, Mathieu Gorge. 

Mr Gorge further explained that the membership of the Chamber has swelled considerably since the Brexit vote of last year. Now numbering 150 members with four new patrons and ten new Corporate members, the expectation for additional new members in 2018 is very high.

The Business Lunch was sponsored by Irish law firm and FICC Patron, LK Shields.

Have a look to the photo gallery of the event by clicking here.