Australian Foreign Minister claims Ireland will take U.K.’s place after Brexit

DUBLIN, Ireland - In what came as positive news for Ireland from down under, the Australian Foreign Minister is said to have hinted at a fruitful period for better mutual relations between the two countries.  

Addressing the Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce, Julie Bishop said that post-Brexit, Ireland will take U.K.’s place as the key gateway to the EU. 

The minister further added that she believed Ireland was "superbly" positioned to exploit Brexit and bring in more Australian businesses.

Bishop said, “I see this as the dawn of a new era. I see this as a great opportunity for Australia and Ireland to explore how we take advantage of what's occurred.”

Bishop reportedly arrived in Dublin after completing visits to Washington and London. 

In the Irish capital, she met Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan amongst other officials. 

Flanagan said post the meeting that Australia is becoming an "increasingly important market" for Irish companies.

Adding, “Currently, there are over 110 Irish companies with a presence in Australia, while some 40 Australian companies have set up operations in Ireland. My department is currently developing a new whole-of-Government cross-sectoral strategy for Asia-Pacific. I very much welcome Minister Bishop's acknowledgement of the importance of enhanced Ireland-Australia relations in the context of Brexit."

Elaborating further, he said, “We discussed Ireland’s commitment to the European Union and the Eurozone, and the advantages of our position as an English-speaking country at the heart of Europe. Although Brexit will be a major focus for the EU in the period ahead, we should not lose sight of the need for concrete measures on jobs, growth and security. An important part of this will be deepening relations with friends outside the EU, such as Australia.”

Bishop meanwhile said that “like-minded nations” Ireland and Australia are "natural partners" that should work more closely in a "post-Brexit era.” 

“We are natural partners, Australia and Ireland. In fact, there is a high level of engagement but there could be so much more in terms of trade and investment,” she said.

Bishop added, “We look to Ireland, particularly post-Brexit. We look to Ireland as a gateway into the EU. I have to say a 12.5 percent corporate tax rate does bring a tear to many a corporate leader's eye in Australia. It's very attractive. But we also see the workforce here, the skilled and creative people of Ireland and the regulatory regime as a real opportunity for Australian businesses to be based in Ireland and have access to a consumer market of some 500 million people that makes up the EU.”

Commenting on the Irish capital, Bishop said, “Dublin is a vibrant hub and a high-tech city, and this is hugely important to Australia.”

She also pointed out the industries where the two nations can engage "far more deeply and broadly.”

Amongst these were infrastructure, research and development, education and tourism.

She said, “In terms of the bilateral relationship between the two countries, infrastructure is an area where there is much that can be done and where there is a lot of room for collaboration. Australia is currently looking for foreign investment into the development of the northern part of the country and we would certainly welcome Irish investment.”

She also urged Ireland to look to Australia as an access point to Asia.

“Just as Australia is a gateway to dynamic economies like China, Japan, and Korea, in a post-Brexit world we see Ireland as a gateway into the European Union. Australia is very keen to negotiate a free trade agreement with the European Union.”

Further, Bishop highlighted the important role of tourism and emigration between the two countries. 

According to figures, Australia is the seventh largest market for holiday makers in Ireland.

In 2015, over 200,000 Australians visited Ireland.

Bishop said, “Irish holiday makers are so welcome in Australia that we never want them to leave.”