British Irish Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with William Fry, was delighted to hold its 2024 London Council Lunch at the prestigious surroundings of the Attlee Room at the House of Lords on Wednesday 22 May.
The gathering of some of the Chamber’s most senior members and guests of William Fry, engaged in an important dialogue on Building Momentum for British Irish Trade and Investment with Lords and MPs such as Baroness Dee Doocey (who hosted the Lunch), Baroness Patience Wheatcroft, Baroness Anna Healy, Claire Hanna MP, Stephen Farry MP and David Simmonds MP in attendance. We are also grateful to Ambassador Martin Fraser for attending.
Key topics covered included:
- The UK General Election
- The welcome return of the Northern Ireland Executive
- The record Trade between the UK and Ireland, now exceeding €100bn per annum
- The potential for joint collaborations between Invest NI and the IDA or the IDA and DBT
- The need for the Irish Government to publish a White Paper on its relationship with the UK
- The need for the EU and the UK to negotiate an SPS Agreement
- The importance of the UK getting fast track associate status to the next phase of EU Research Funding (Framework Programme 10)
- The value and importance of the Single Electricity Market and the exceptional job of All-Island bodies such as Tourism Ireland
- Expanding the Shared Island Fund
- Growing investment opportunities for businesses from both jurisdictions
Speaking after the Council Lunch, Paul Lynam, Deputy DG of the British Irish Chamber said:
“This lunch once again emphasises the need for businesses to engage openly and frankly with politicians and other stakeholders to realise the vast opportunities that exist between these two islands, north-south, east and west”
Ivor Banim, Partner and Head of William Fry’s London Office added: