TAOISEACH Enda Kenny has urged business people in the North of Ireland to “not be shy” in pushing for Britain to stay in the EU.
Speaking at the 50th anniversary Confederation of British Industry dinner last night, he said the possible Brexit would be a “retrograde economic step for Northern Ireland”.
Mr Kenny told guests that the North of Ireland had benefitted in many ways from Britain’s membership of the EU – most significantly with the peace process and the economy.
He spoke of the ease at which trade can be carried out within the EU – and pleaded with those in the business industry to bear this in mind if a referendum on Britain’s membership does happen by 2017, as David Cameron has promised.
“Economies like those in the Republic, or in Northern Ireland, can’t afford to go it alone,” he said. “Economic heft and strength – especially when it comes to negotiating trade deals and creating a vast home market – is to be found in unity, not isolation.”
“Although we are on the periphery, we are seamlessly part of the European economy,” he added.
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