news 25 January 2016

An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD, speaks at important business event hosted by McCann FitzGerald and the British Irish Chamber of Commerce

The London office of McCann FitzGerald today hosted an important business event with the British Irish Chamber of Commerce at which An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD, spoke in relation to a number of matters including Brexit.

The attendance included Ambassador Dan Mullhall, the Ambassador of Ireland to Great Britain, Barry Devereux, Managing Partner of McCann FitzGerald, John McGrane, Director General of British Irish Chamber of Commerce and John Cronin, former Chairman and Global Relations Partner of McCann FitzGerald. In addition, a number of senior Irish business figures attended.

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Pictured: Barry Devereux - Managing Partner McCann FitzGerald; An Taoiseach - Enda Kenny TD

An Taoiseach praised the efforts by McCann FitzGerald, and other Irish business leaders, in furthering the discussion and debate regarding Brexit. He said that the Irish Government and majority of the Irish people wished the United Kingdom to remain in the European Union. The vote on the referendum was a matter for UK citizens, however, Ireland and Irish business should not be silent in their expression of support for the UK to remain in the European Union. McCann FitzGerald had hosted a significant Brexit discussion event on 12 January 2016 at which it had posed the question as to what role UK law firms and the City should play in the run-up to the referendum. That event was recognised by An Taoiseach as a good and proper contribution by the firm.

Barry Devereux, Managing Partner, introducing An Taoiseach said “we are pleased to play a small role on the debate relating to Brexit in the UK. McCann FitzGerald first established its London office 30 years ago in 1986 and since that time we have advised and represented many British, International and Irish clients through that office as well as through our principal office in Dublin. As a firm, we are very happy to express a strong desire for the UK to remain in the European Union.”

John McGrane, DG of the Chamber, thanked An Taoiseach for his words and indicated that its principal purpose was to support and encourage the business links between Great Britain and Ireland.