Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy needs to go back to the people to whom he has spoken. He referred to what he has been hearing. I assure him that Ireland is very active in this field, and not just by way of the Minister of State, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, who is dealing with financial services. The Minister for Finance, many other senior Ministers and I, together with IDA Ireland and everybody else, are quite active in talking to interests in London who may wish to change location. We have a unique opportunity arising out of the many difficulties and challenges Brexit is presenting and will present. Our position is good on account of being in the eurozone, being so close to London, having an English-speaking population, and having at our disposal a proven track record and competence developed over the years in the area of financial services.

The Deputy will be aware that many queries have come into the Central Bank as financial houses or elements of financial houses decide where they will move to, and it might be to Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Paris, Dublin or New York. However, I assure Deputy Donnelly that we are not behind the scenes in talking to anybody who is interested in coming here or in presenting our case as an attractive location with a vibrant, energetic workforce, and with the capacity to continue to attract the "churn" of talent needed here and access to the Single Market and the European system, which is so important for financial services.

People I have met have very varied views about Brexit as far as London is concerned, but we will fight our corner hard and fairly. I can confirm to the Deputy that it has been confirmed to me that particular companies wish to move to this country, and in due course they will make their decisions formally, but we are right in there; we are not behind the scenes. With respect to the people who are giving the Deputy that information, it is not true to say that Ireland is not taking action and involving itself in serious conversations with people in London and elsewhere in the United Kingdom. With regard to what Deputy Donnelly pointed out, it is true to say from Bord Bia's assessment that in terms of value, the reduction due to currency fluctuations in the agrifood sector has been €500 million. That is why the Minister has brought in low interest, long-term credit for small firms. I notice some Irish agri-firms are acquiring others to be available and ready to rebound when the currency situation levels itself out. I spoke to Prime Minister May about a number of elements last night. In conclusion, we are very active in this field and we will fight our corner hard and fairly.

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