Junior Ministers Promote NI At Brussels St. Patrick's Day Event

Junior Ministers Aisling Reilly and Pam Cameron hosted over 200 guests at the 'Ulster Fry for St Patrick's Day' breakfast networking event at the Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels (ONIEB).

The annual event, designed to promote Northern Ireland, was attended by representatives from European Institutions, EU Member States, non-EU representatives, and other stakeholders based in Brussels.

Addressing the guests, Junior Minister Aisling Reilly emphasised the importance of Northern Ireland's voice being heard in the European Union. "In the last few years it has become more important than ever that our voice is heard in the European Union," she said. "It is essential that we build contacts and networks to help us monitor, and understand, policy and legislative developments that impact us. The work of our Office in Brussels is central to this, and we would like to thank you all for your continued support and friendship." Junior Minister Pam Cameron highlighted Northern Ireland's innovative spirit and growing reputation on the global economic stage. "We have a strong history of innovation, identifying new and emerging opportunities, and responding to global challenges," she stated. "From the creative industries, agri-food, life and health sciences, to advanced manufacturing and Fintech, we boast a growing reputation on the world's economic stage. We are open for investment and growth, and we want to thrive, so that every person and every place across Northern Ireland benefits."

During their visit to Brussels, the Junior Ministers also visited the European Parliament and the Flemish Peace Institute.

They held meetings with key diplomatic figures, including Sandro Gozi MEP, Chair of the European Parliament's Delegation to the UK-EU Parliamentary Partnership Assembly; Caroline Read, Deputy Ambassador at the UK Mission to the EU; Ambassador Aingeal O'Donoghue, Irish Permanent Representative to the EU; and representatives from the Scottish, Welsh, and Channel Islands governments' Brussels offices.