CEO OF Wexford Chamber, Madeleine Quirke, has expressed her worry that businesses across Europe, outside of Ireland, do not see Brexit as posing a significant challenge to commerce in 2017.

Responding to the results of the EUROCHAMBRES Economic Survey for 2017, in which less than ten per cent of European respondents identified Brexit as a challenge, Madeleine Quirke said “this complacency will have implications for the approach adopted by member states to future negotiations on the UK’s exit.”

Wexford Chamber has previously expressed concern at the potential implications of the UK’s vote to

leave the European Union for businesses in Ireland.

The survey conducted by the co-ordinators of a European network for Chambers of Commerce and Industry showed that Irish businesses view Brexit as the second biggest challenge they face in 2017.

Ms. Quirke said that “while it is not surprising that Brexit is a priority for Irish businesses in 2017 due to our proximity to the UK and our close trading relationship, it’s a worry that other European businesses do not share this concern.

“If European businesses do not share our view on the importance of maintaining close trade relationships with the UK”, she said, “they are far less likely to support a pragmatic approach to negotiations.”

Looking to 2017, Ms. Quirke said “it is important that we focus on enhancing the competitiveness of our economics through investment in transport infrastructure, housing, education and skills as a priority.”

Read more in the Wexford Echo.