Written answers

Thursday, 3 November 2016

Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Brexit Issues

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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209. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she has engaged with investment and job creation interests in Northern Ireland with a view to maintaining the best possible relationship of a mutually beneficial nature with Northern Ireland and the EU in the aftermath of Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33193/16]

Photo of Mary Mitchell O'ConnorMary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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While Brexit may certainly pose a large number of challenges for Ireland and our economy, it should not prevent us from maintaining a strong relationship with the authorities in Northern Ireland.

My Department is continuing to work closely with its counterpart in Northern Ireland in support of InterTrade Ireland (ITI), the co-funded cross-border trade and business development body. ITI assists businesses, both north and south, to help foster growth and job creation through the provision of various enterprise programmes. ITI will also have an important role to play in the time ahead in helping companies involved in cross-border trade to address and overcome any hurdles associated with Brexit.

With regard to attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), IDA Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland (INI) do in some instances compete to win new projects, just as they compete with other investment promotion authorities from all over the world. However, both Agencies also have a track record of working together, including cooperating on company visits where both jurisdictions are being considered by foreign companies. Furthermore, given that both our economies have highly educated and talented workforces, the IDA highlights this to prospective investors considering locating or expanding in the border area. In this way, the skills pool available on both side of the border is therefore an advantage for both jurisdictions when it comes to securing new investment on the island of Ireland.

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