No change in UK business at Paypal Dundalk

US firm Paypal have moved to assure both customers and staff that Brexit will not impact on their business operations, the Argus has learned.

The US company have two major bases in Ireland, in Dublin and in Dundalk, where around 1,000 people are currently employed and many more being recruited.

Like many firms located along the border they draw a considerable number of staff from Northern Ireland, workers for whom the UK vote to leave the European Union will have caused concern.

But Paypal have issued a statement confirming the status quo, with no change in UK business.

‘ The UK’s referendum vote to leave the European Union (‘Brexit’) will have no immediate impact on the services we provide in the UK and the rest of the EU,’ according to a company statement issued to the Argus on Friday last.

‘PayPal will continue to serve its customers.’

‘ The current arrangements for the trade of goods and services between the UK and the EU should apply for at least two years after the vote to leave.’

‘And PayPal and its employees will continue to serve UK and EU customers after the UK has left the EU.’

Meanwhile the impact of the Brexit on the hospitality sector has also raised concerns, with restaurants and hotels in the Dundalk area soon to be at the frontier of a new European border.

The Restaurants Association of Ireland expressed their disappointment at the outcome of the UK referendum and called for the Irish government to immediately ‘ take urgent steps to allay the concerns for the restaurant and tourism sector about the implications of this vote.’

CEO Adrian Cummins said: The outcome of the UK vote has major implications for Irish tourism and the restaurant sector.

It is imperative the Irish Government give a clear signal on issues of major importance to the restaurant sector, our trading relationship with the UK and Northern Ireland and the EU budget.

He added: ‘ The Restaurants Association is calling for a clear strategy to how the Irish are to deal with Brexit and minimise damage to Irish tourism.

‘ The Irish tourism industry is highly dependent on the British Market as over three million from the UK visit Ireland each year.

Mr Cummins continued, “Restaurateurs along the border areas are deeply concerned with potential new border arrangements post Brexit.’

‘It’s imperative that the 9% vat rate for tourism is kept to help Irish Tourism overcome Brexit.

‘A reduction in excise duty on alcohol must be delivered in this year’s budget to help also.’