Mary Mitchell O’Connor in driving seat for crucial negotiations between Ireland and EU

A MINISTER who famously drove off the Leinster House plinth will play a key role in steering Ireland away from the wreckage of Britain’s EU vote.

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell O’Connor, who made the driving error in 2011, will feature heavily in Ireland’s response to Brexit, according to contingency plans published by the Government. Her department will take a lead role on economy, investment, trade, research and innovation issues, and a supporting role in migration and British-Irish relations.

Ms O’Connor, right, has risen from first-time TD for Dún Laoghaire in the previous Dáil to a now strategically important portfolio in Government, despite not having any junior ministerial role in the last government.

She is in effect now in the driving seat of Ireland’s economic response to Brexit. A ‘high-level meeting is being prioritised between the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and Britain’s Department of Business, Innovation and Skills as early as this week’, according to the contingency plan document. New ‘mitigation’ strategies will be considered in relation to sterling fluctuations.

Ms Mitchell O’Connor told the Mail she had met with her officials yesterday morning to prepare her department’s response. ‘While there is a lack of clarity as to how the negotiation process will proceed, I will be working to ensure there is certainty as early as possible on the terms of future trading relationships, including the extent of access by the UK to the EU’s single market,’ she said. ‘I, together with the enterprise agencies... will also be working to ensure that businesses, investors and potential investors are fully informed of Ireland’s continued commitment to the EU.’