British Ambassador attends Wexford transport seminar
THE British Ambassador to Ireland, Robin Barnett, was among the special guests at this year’s annual Wright Insurance Brokers Transport and Logistics Seminar in Wexford.
The event took place in Clayton White’s Hotel and focussed attention on key issues affecting the invited audience members who were composed of operators and stakeholders within the transport and logistics industry.
In addition to Mr Barnett the other guest speakers at the event included broadcaster and journalist, Anton Savage, Minister Michael D’Arcy, President of the Irish Road Hauliers Association, Verona Murphy, economist, Jim Power, and the Chief Executive Officer of Wright Group Brokers, Tony Wright.
Mr Savage was MC at the event and he invited Minister D’Arcy to open the seminar and during his talk he summarised the current status of insurance reform in Ireland and his opening address was followed by a presentation from Mr Power during which he placed attention on the likely implications of Brexit on the transport and logistics industry here in Ireland.
He also spoke about how the industry in Ireland will have to adapt to meet the challenge of the post-Brexit economic landscape.
He said that whatever the outcome of Brexit there will be knock-on effects in Ireland and stakeholders here need to be ready to deal with them when they occur.
The culmination of the event saw a group panel discussion take place during which Mr Barnett acknowledged that it was a positive seminar.
‘This was a good opportunity to meet and hear from a key group of people who facilitate European and global trade,’ he told those in attendance.
He said that ensuring ‘frictionless access to the UK market for Irish exporters, and vice versa, remains in place post-Brexit’ is one of the British government’s key objectives.
‘The recent White Paper put forward by the UK Government as the basis for a future EU-UK partnership would see goods and agri-food flowing freely across the border with no need for any physical border infrastructure or related checks and controls.’ he said.
‘Negotiating this outcome remains a top priority,’ he added.
Towards the end of the event the Chief Executive Officer of Wright Insurance Brokers, Tony Wright, said that while there has been a downward movement on insurance premiums recently it’s unlikely to continue if ‘fundamental legislative reforms are not implemented’.
He also said the seminar came at a time when the insurance sector and the transport and logistics industry face major challenges.