14 JUNE 2017

ICSA president Patrick Kent has congratulated Leo Varadkar on being elected Taoiseach by Dáil Éireann, following his appointment as Fine Gael leader.

Mr Kent said that the biggest challenge facing Mr Varadkar would be to work with both the EU and the UK government to deliver a Brexit outcome that protected to the greatest extent possible trade between Ireland and the UK.

“ICSA is committed to working with the new Taoiseach and is actively involved in making the case for Irish agricultural interests on Brexit in Brussels.  We have recently outlined our concerns to EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier about the need to prioritise a trading arrangement.

There is no simple solution that would mitigate any negative impact on our beef sales to the UK for example.  The UK market takes half our beef and it has been the highest price market in Europe for a number of years.  This must be to the fore of all government considerations.”

ENDS