Minister heads Scots bid to strengthen post-Brexit business links with Ireland

THE Scottish Government has highlighted the importance of the business and trading links between the country and Ireland in the wake of the Brexit vote for the UK to leave the European Union.

The administration’s Minister for Business Innovation and Energy Paul Wheelhouse said that the two countries have much in common in terms of their economies and plenty to gain from working in collaboration with each other.

“The Scottish Government does not want our relationship with our closest EU member state to be defined solely in the coming months and years by Brexit,” said Mr Wheelhouse.

“Both sides remain committed to strengthening the Scottish-Irish relationship, whatever the outcome of negotiations that take place.”

Mr Wheelhouse was speaking at a forum in Glasgow that was organised by the Irish Business Network Scotland, which he said reflected that commitment.

Members of the network have been engaging with the innovation and investment hub established by the Scottish Government to support economic, academic and innovation partnerships.

Mark Hanniffy, Consul General of Ireland to Scotland, said: “The network is already making a really valuable contribution.”