IRISH In Britain recently hosted an online meeting with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ireland, during which MPs were updated on the work of the Irish community during lockdown.
Also attending the meeting were Ireland’s Ambassador to Britain Adrian O’Neill and Minister for Overseas Development Aid and the Diaspora Colm Brophy TD, who each spoke to participants about the Irish community in Britain and the relationship between the two nations.
The meeting also marked the beginning of a new era for Irish In Britain, with the group now preparing to take up a new and more formal role with the APPG in which it will serve as secretariat.
“At a well–attended and engaging online meeting, Irish in Britain CEO Brian Dalton updated politicians from the Conservatives, Labour and SNP, as well as Northern Irish MPs, about the work of our members during lockdown,” Irish In Britain said. “He also noted how important the upcoming census in March is to the Irish in Britain and Policy Officer Ruairí Cullen shared our new interactive map of Irish born people in Britain, which sparked some excited comments and got MPs looking up the Irish numbers in their constituencies.
“The meeting was organised by APPG chair Conor McGinn MP, who told the attendees that Irish in Britain would soon take on the formal role of secretariat to the group later in the year.
“Strong interest in the Irish community and UK–Irish ties was demonstrated by the high attendance for an APPG event—of nearly 50 politicians, plus several observers—and speakers included Diaspora Minister Colm Brophy and Ambassador Adrian O’Neill. MPs from different parties asked questions in a lively Q&A.”
