Panel backs plan for CT-Ireland trade commission

A proposal to strengthen business connections between Connecticut and Ireland made progress on Thursday, as the General Assembly's Commerce Committee passed through a bill that would establish a commission for trade between the state and the country.

Committee members moved quickly during their meeting on Thursday to approve the bill by placing it on a consent calendar, a procedure that allowed them to pass the bill, as well as several others with strong support, in a single vote, which was unanimous by those attending.

The proposed legislation still needs approval from the full House and Senate, which could make amendments or refer it to another committee for review. The last day of this year's short legislative session is May 8.

As it stands now, the approved version of the bill includes an amendment by state Rep. Cindy Harrison, R-Southbury, to add the two ranking members of the Commerce Committee or their designees to the commission membership, and reduce by two the number of the governor's appointees. In total, the commission would have 23 members.

The bill gained momentum in a public hearing on March 5 when a number of business and political leaders from Connecticut and Ireland spoke in support of the bill. Among their arguments, they noted the growing amount of transatlantic trade, which was highlighted by the resumption in March 2023 of Aer Lingus flights between Bradley International Airport and Dublin Airport.

“It's kind of propitious right now,” state Sen. Joan Hartley, D-Waterbury and committee co-chairwoman, said during the meeting on Thursday. “This will strengthen relationships.”