Ibec Europe and Global Focus-Issue 12

Welcome to the autumn edition of Ibec Europe & Global Focus, our regular report of major issues impacting Irish business at EU and global level.

In this issue, we profile the new European Commission, looking at its expected new structure and portfolios, with a particular focus on Ireland’s Phil Hogan as Commissioner for Trade. As part of our assessment of the new EU Institutions, we are pleased to include interviews with six Irish MEPs elected to the European Parliament for the first time earlier this year. 

With the Brexit process extended again to 31 January 2020, we await the outcome of the UK General Election on 12 December to see if the recently revised Withdrawal Agreement can be ratified by the incoming UK Parliament.

This issue’s member spotlight features our new Ibec President Pat McCann, CEO of the Dalata Hotel Group. 

Our regular events and activities report covers Ibec’s recent engagements in Brussels as well as with the WTO and the OECD. Also included is an account of our members roundtable with Dan Mullaney, Assistant US Trade Representative, as well as our participation in a BusinessEurope outreach visit to Washington DC.

Finally, in our sectoral highlights section, our colleagues atBioPharmaChem Ireland and Drinks Ireland outline their recent EU and global activities. 

Please contact our EU & International Affairs team in Brussels or Dublin on any of the items covered. 

For more information on the Issue 12 of Ibec Europe & Global Focus, Please download our report.