Business opportunities and challenges discussed

Mr Lewis visited O’Neills Irish International Sports Co. Ltd’s 16-acre site on Monday as part of his first visit to the North West.

Earlier in the day he met Council representatives, business leaders, local politicians and community representatives in the Derry and Strabane area.

During his visit to O’Neills, Mr Lewis was given a tour of the factory led by the Managing Director and discussed opportunities and challenges faced by the Strabane-based, cross-border company, especially in the context of Brexit.

O’Neills employs around 900 staff in both Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. Around 750 people are employed in Strabane.

Mr Kennedy said: “The North West business community has been to the fore in the recent Brexit discussions to ensure Northern Ireland remains in the single market and customs union as we require unfettered access to Europe.

“O’Neills, like other businesses which rely on both cross-border trade and staff from nearby Co. Donegal, requires a withdrawal deal on Brexit which will help protect the existing fluid trading relationships across the island of Ireland and beyond.

“We have an intricate supply chain and our products travel across the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland numerous times on a daily basis before they are sold. Our big concern would always be over duties and tariffs to transport goods across the border with the Irish Republic and the potential implications of any such costs to enable us to remain competitive in both local and global markets.”

He added: “We believe this visit recognises the unique importance of key businesses located on the border with the Irish Republic. We welcome the opportunity for the Secretary of State to see at first-hand the continued success of O’Neills which is constantly innovating as a company with the valued support of our highly skilled workforce.”