TÁNAISTE Simon Coveney has told business leaders in Belfast that if the politics surrounding the current Brexit deal “settles down”, they will see the “an extraordinary business opportunity”.
Addressing hundreds of business figures at Belfast Chamber’s annual lunch in the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Wednesday, Mr Coveney said: “I think if you look at this through a business lens, as opposed to a green or orange or other lens, I think the opportunities here are significant for Northern Ireland.”
Taking questions from the floor, the Tánaiste said: “What’s essentially on offer here, is that Northern Ireland, as part of the United Kingdom, outside of the European Union, is going to have full access to the benefits of the EU’s single market, while not being in the same customs union as the rest of Ireland - but maintaining alignment in the areas necessary for that facilitation to happen.
“I think in time when the politics of this settles down, business leaders will start to look at this for what it is, which an extraordinary business opportunity.”
He also said that if trade barriers do arise between Britain and the Republic, he suggested the deal offers businesses from the south a huge incentive to locate north of the border.
Addressing concerns over the introduction of new paperwork and administration for trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, Mr Coveney stated his belief that such processes would eventually become streamlined.
“The paperwork required will be streamlined to such an extent that it is not going to interrupt business opportunity,” he said. “But time will tell.”
Thursday’s event also heard from former DUP Economy Minister Simon Hamilton, who was appointed chief executive of Belfast Chamber just eight weeks ago.
Mr Hamilton described Brexit as “essentially a political problem”, but said the impact on the economy will be profound.
He said 86 per cent of Belfast Chamber members are opposed to a no-deal Brexit.
“They know it would have catastrophic consequences the entire economy of Northern Ireland.
He said the message from businesses in Belfast was simple: “Give us the certainty and stability we need. The time for games and stunts is well and truly over, the patience, as thin as it was, has run out.”
