Minister Chambers in London to meet with Chancellor Reeves

The Minister for Finance, Jack Chambers TD, is in London today (2 September), to meet with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves MP. The Minister and the Chancellor had decided to meet in person following an introductory telephone conversation in mid-July.

The meeting should offer an excellent opportunity to discuss issues of common bilateral interest with a view to cooperative and collaborative relationships at both political and official levels.

The Government is fully committed to a strong Irish-British relationship in all its various dimensions. This relationship has seen significant challenges in the years since Brexit, but there is now positive momentum.

Ahead of the meeting, Minister Chambers said:

“Chancellor Reeves and I share a common determination to play our full part in the reset of Irish-British relations which is now well underway. These relations are of deep consequence and of course there are many strands to them - human, cultural, sporting and business.

As well as being co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, we are also very significant trading partners with important economic and strategic links. Two-way bilateral trade in goods and services between Ireland and the UK was worth over €122 billion in 2022—or about €2.4 billion per week. With Ireland now ranking as the UK’s fourth-largest export partner, such figures confirm the significance of bilateral trade to both our economies.

A close and constructive relationship between the EU and UK is very much in Ireland’s interests. I look forward to hearing from the Chancellor on the new UK government’s priorities in this area”.

ENDS