{"id":23298,"date":"2021-10-01T11:46:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-01T15:46:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=23298"},"modified":"2021-10-02T09:49:32","modified_gmt":"2021-10-02T13:49:32","slug":"coveney-opens-new-consulate-for-the-north-of-england-in-manchester","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=23298","title":{"rendered":"Coveney Opens New Consulate For The North Of England In Manchester"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney being presented with a signed Denis Irwin Manchester United jersey at the official opening of the Consulate General of Ireland for the North of England (PA Wire\/PA Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has vowed to find a way of \u201cfixing\u201d the conversation with Britain as he officially opened the Consulate General of Ireland for the North of England.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Coveney was presented with a Manchester United jersey by Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham before he officially opened the diplomatic mission in Manchester.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking at a reception at Manchester Art Gallery, the Minister said the countries had entered a \u201cnew phase\u201d of their relationship following the UK’s departure from the European Union and the consulate would make a significant contribution to building a new partnership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said: \u201cFor me, the challenges we have faced in recent years have resulted in a new conversation, not always positive, in the context of the British-Irish relationship. We need to find a way of fixing that and we will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut, more importantly, we need to understand the breadth and the scale of the connections and the closeness of those relationships between Britain and Ireland and indeed Ireland and the north of England.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Burnham, who gave Mr Coveney a jersey signed by former Manchester United player Denis Irwin, from Cork, told him: \u201cWe\u2019re so proud you\u2019ve chosen Manchester, this is a little token from us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pair discussed business opportunities for Ireland in the north-west of England, including in the construction industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Coveney also met UK MP Wendy Morton, the minister for Europe and Americas, and held a round table discussion with business leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among those attending the reception was Boyzone singer, Shane Lynch, who now runs a bar in Cheshire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Coveney was also due to visit the Liverpool Irish Center and meet Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram during his visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Rotheram and Mr Burnham are planning to visit Ireland next year as part of the bid to drive forward Irish partnerships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The consulate, which has been operating since July, will represent Ireland\u2019s interest in England\u2019s North East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber.<\/p>\n

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