Ireland

Brexit will have ‘major implications’ for agri-food sector – IFA

Impact on tourism not yet clear, says Irish Hotels Federation

‘The Government must give a clear signal that the issues of major importance to this sector, our trading relationship with the UK and Northern Ireland and and the EU budget, will be central to the EU-UK negotiations’, says IFA president Joe Healy.
‘The Government must give a clear signal that the issues of major importance to this sector, our trading relationship with the UK and Northern Ireland and and the EU budget, will be central to the EU-UK negotiations’, says IFA president Joe Healy.
Aine McMahon
Fri Jun 24 2016 - 09:33

The Irish Farmer’s Association (IFA) has expressed disappointment at the decision by UK voters to leave the European Union.

IFA president Joe Healy said the Government needs to immediately take decisive steps to allay the concerns in farming and the agri-food sector about the implications of this vote.

“The outcome of the UK vote has major implications for Irish agriculture and the agri-food sector. The Government must give a clear signal that the issues of major importance to this sector, our trading relationship with the UK and Northern Ireland and and the EU budget, will be central to the EU-UK negotiations. Minimising uncertainty and setting out a clear strategy on the next steps is a priority,” Mr Healy said.

Tourism

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Meanwhile, the Irish Hotels Federation said it is too early to predict the effect that Friday’s decision will have on Irish tourism given the uncertainty around the future relationship between the UK and the EU.

“While Ireland’s competitive tourism offering will help mitigate any negative impact, there is a risk that economic uncertainty and a weaker sterling could impact on visitor numbers from the UK, which is our largest source of inbound tourists,” a staement read.

The Irish Hotels Federation called on the Government to set up a dedicated working group to examine the short and long-term implications of Brexit, and to ensure appropriate measures are put in place to enable Irish tourism react quickly.