French ambassador visits Dundalk

The French ambassador, Vincent Guerend, had a busy day in Dundalk on Wednesday 26th January visiting Louth County Council, DkIT and Dundalk Chamber of Commerce.  

While visiting Louth County Council, the Ambassador met with Cathaoirleach, Cllr Conor Keelan and the Chairman of Dundalk Municipal District, Cllr Kevin Meenan, as well as Chief Executive, Joan Martin.

 He was interested to hear from the Council on several matters, including the ‘Twinnings’ between Louth and France, Brexit and the Northern Ireland Protocol, and trade links with France. He also took a keen interest in Dundalk’s political and economic history and the potential for greater links with Louth.

Areas which are seeing greater cooperation with France include the number of sailings and the energy market.

Sailings to France have quadrupled since Brexit and the planned electricity interconnector with France will have capacity to supply 11% of our electricity needs and will provide Ireland with the stability of direct access to the EU power grid.

It also offers Ireland the opportunity to export wind generated power.

The Ambassador acknowledged Louth’s unique position on the Dublin – Belfast Corridor and the designation of both Dundalk and Drogheda as Regional Growth Centres in the Government’s National Planning Framework and the opportunities this could present for French businesses.  

The meeting concluded with an invitation to return to see the Cooley and Carlingford Lough region.