Business

Taoiseach in 'hands across the border' business plea

Taoiseach Enda Kenny at Cpl’s new Belfast offices with Anne Hearty co-founder and CEO of Cpl Resources, John Hennessy and Áine Brolly, CEO of Cpl Northern Ireland
Taoiseach Enda Kenny at Cpl’s new Belfast offices with Anne Hearty co-founder and CEO of Cpl Resources, John Hennessy and Áine Brolly, CEO of Cpl Northern Ireland Taoiseach Enda Kenny at Cpl’s new Belfast offices with Anne Hearty co-founder and CEO of Cpl Resources, John Hennessy and Áine Brolly, CEO of Cpl Northern Ireland

TAOISEACH Enda Kenny says the Irish Government and Stormont Executive must work together to support the growth and development of the business sector across the island of Ireland.

“It's crucial we engage with the private sector in order to stimulate both economies, and a successful partnership which encourages foreign direct investment across the island will be central to this," he said during a visit to recruitment firm Cpl’s new offices in Belfast.

"We have pioneered joint trade missions which benefit both economies and encourage FDI across the island and we are committed to growing and developing this partnership,” he added.

“Ireland-wide cooperation will enhance the opportunities for businesses on both sides of the border with the private sector of both of our economies focused around agri-food, IT, STEM, manufacturing, engineering and finance and professional services.

"Working in partnership with the NI Executive, we look forward to enhancing the opportunities for businesses to generate employment and strengthen growth on both sides of the border and we are committed to helping companies, such as Cpl, which are working across Ireland, to flourish.”

Business leaders from across Northern Ireland attended the event, with the Taoiseach also noting that working with different currencies, taxes, and laws can be a barrier for many businesses, but pointed to Cpl as an example of a company that has successfully operated and grown its services on both sides of the border.

Headquartered in Dublin Cpl is one of the fastest growing recruitment companies in Ireland, and it recently announced 10 new jobs as part of its expansion in Belfast.

With 36 offices across nine countries, Cpl employs 700 people in recruitment, 2,000 in managed services and 10,000 on client sites across its global business.

Cpl’s Northern Ireland chief executive Áine Brolly said: “We were delighted to welcome the Taoiseach to our new Arthur Street offices in Belfast.

"As a company that works across a wide range of business sectors across the island of Ireland we have great insights and intelligence on areas of both economies that are growing and those that need support and we welcome the opportunity to engage with political leaders north and south to outline these opportunities and challenges.”