Irish Foreign Affairs Minister urges Northern Ireland businesses to be heard in Brexit debate

By Adam Evans

The Irish Foreign Affairs Minister has met with more than 100 businesses in Northern Ireland this morning.

Simon Coveney spoke at a Chamber of Commerce breakfast at the Merchant in Belfast.

He urged firms here to make their voices heard in the debate on Brexit and it's impact on the border with the Republic.

Addressing the audience, the Minister said: “I'm delighted to have a chance to meet with the NI Chamber of Commerce and its companies and I'm grateful to Ellvena Graham and Ann McGregor for the invitation."

“The voice of business is vital in the debate on Brexit and dealing with its impact on Northern Ireland. And we are at a critical juncture now in terms of making that voice heard."

“Our current border arrangement has been a vital part of our shared peace, just as it has been a critical facilitator of Northern Ireland's £3.6 billion of exports to Ireland annually. This is more than a third of all Northern Ireland exports."

“The best way to ensure we preserve the kind of border arrangements that have served us so well is for the UK and Northern Ireland to remain in the Customs Union and Single Market.” 

“Businesses in Northern Ireland should not underestimate their influence at this time. I'm pleased to have a chance to hear the views of leading business-women and men in Northern Ireland this morning, but I hope these views also resonate in Belfast, London and Brussels over the coming weeks."