Flanagan rejects 'concerning' claims of IDA 'investment poaching' from North

Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan has rejected allegations that Dublin is trying to "poach investment" and undermine the North's economy in the wake of Brexit.

The heightened Dublin-Belfast tensions, stoked by comments from Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster, come ahead of a special all-island conference on Brexit in Dublin Castle on Wednesday. Ms Foster and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) are boycotting the forum, arguing that Taoiseach Enda Kenny tried to "bounce" them into it.

Mr Flanagan, speaking after meeting US Secretary of State John Kerry, said he was so concerned by the remarks by Ms Foster that he contacted officials at Stormont. Mr Kerry warned that the fallout from Brexit cannot be allowed to undermine the peace process in Northern Ireland.

The US head of foreign policy admitted that Brexit posed "major challenges" for all involved.

But Mr Flanagan took issue with remarks by Ms Foster at the DUP annual conference on Saturday.

Yesterday, she repeated her view that the Republic was trying to "poach" post-Brexit business from Northern Ireland - saying her officials in the US and business people reported that the Republic's officials were negatively portraying the North.

"I understand competition - but please do not portray Northern Ireland in this way," Ms Foster told RTÉ. The DUP leader said Dublin's response to Brexit reflected political instability in the South - but she also argued that relations between herself and Taoiseach Enda Kenny were "good".

Mr Flanagan expressed consternation at the comments.

Read more: Minister expresses 'deep concern' at claims Dublin is 'trying to poach investment, undermine economy in North' in wake of Brexit

"I was very surprised at these remarks, I was very concerned at these remarks and very concerned at the claim that representatives of the Irish Government were allegedly talking down the Northern Ireland economy," he said.

"I spoke last evening to the Minister for Economy, Simon Hamilton, and I expressed my concern. He and I agreed that it is important we work together, which we will do."

Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe said the Government and its agencies were trying to promote the Republic for overseas investment and jobs. Agencies in the North and Britain were doing the same.

"We're upping our efforts to win investment and jobs," Mr Donohoe said.

Fianna Fáil also rejected the DUP leader's assertions.

"No Irish government, irrespective of who is in office, talks down the Northern Irish economy. In fact, the opposite happens," said Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith.

He acknowledged that Brexit has underlined the need for even greater co-operation.

"I am satisfied in the context of my discussions with members of the UK government, with leaders in Northern Ireland and from meetings I have had with all 27 of my EU counterparts, that the issue of the unique status of the island of Ireland is acknowledged and appreciated," he said.

"So it is important therefore in the context of the negotiations which will commence next spring that it is acknowledged with particular reference to the issue of the current invisible border between Northern Ireland and Ireland.

"In the last few days I have been in Derry, Newry and Armagh speaking to business leaders regarding the challenges - it is an enormous challenge."

Mr Flanagan was speaking as Mr Kerry was presented with the Tipperary Peace Prize at a gala ceremony in the Glen of Aherlow.

Separately, the North's Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, said he had no knowledge of IDA efforts to unfairly "poach" from the North.

He said he had been involved in various talks during the week and heard nothing of any such allegations. This in turn reflects tensions between coalition partners in Belfast.

Irish Independent