Need to repair post Brexit relations

AN overwhelming majority of directors and business leaders surveyed by the Institute of Directors (IoD) in Ireland say want to see a dedicated effort to repair any damage done to Ireland-UK relations by the Brexit process to date.

That’s one of the key findings of the IoD’s latest quarterly Director Sentiment Monitor published in the last week. The survey was conducted amongst IoD members between September 23 and October 1, for the third quarter of 2019.

When asked, ‘Do you think Ireland needs to actively address improving relations with the UK in a post-Brexit scenario?’, 89 per cent of business leaders answered ‘Yes’, with just six per cent saying ‘No’, while two per cent having ‘No opinion’.

Maura Quinn, CEO of the Institute of Directors in Ireland, said the results highlight that business leaders are concerned about the future Ireland-UK relationship, with nine out of 10 respondents believing relations need to be actively improved.

“The longer-term implications of a negative relationship could have consequences for future trade and business between the two countries,” she said.

“Over the three consecutive quarters this year our surveys have found increasing negative sentiment among business leaders in relation to the impact of Brexit on the Irish economy. Directors and business leaders in Ireland clearly believe this situation needs to be actively addressed,” Ms Quinn said.