Minister Byrne advocates for closer ties with the UK

Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne TD, is set to deliver the keynote address today at the British Irish Chamber of Commerce’s EU Presidency event in Dublin City Hall. The gathering, titled “Reducing Friction: Addressing UK-EU Trade Barriers”, serves as a forum for policymakers and business figures to evaluate the current state of the trading relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom.

Ahead of his address, Minister Byrne emphasised the importance of the recent EU-UK Summit in fostering a spirit of shared ambition. He confirmed that he has been in active dialogue with the UK Minister for European Relations, Hamish Falconer, and European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič to progress a core package of agreements. These proposed measures include a Youth Experience Scheme, a framework for an Emissions Trading System, and a Sanitary and Phytosanitary area, all of which are intended to be finalised ahead of the next summit.

Reflecting on the decade since the Brexit referendum, Minister Byrne highlighted the resilience shown through continued collaboration despite significant geopolitical challenges. He praised the British Irish Chamber of Commerce for its role in maintaining these essential links, noting that strengthening the partnership will help alleviate obstacles to cooperation across the region. Further details regarding the Chamber's ongoing initiatives and policy positions are available on their official website.