Doherty supports bid for post-Brexit move of European weather forecasting projects to Ireland

Fine Gael Senator and Leader of Seanad Éireann, Regina Doherty, has given her backing to Met Éireann’s bid for the relocation of the EU-funded work carried out at the European Centre for Medium Range Forecasting. Currently based in Reading in the UK, the most significant activities up for grabs include both climate change and atmosphere monitoring services.

Pledging her support Senator Doherty said “For years now we have all been aware of the huge risks associated with Brexit, so I am happy to see that Ireland is fighting for some of the immediate opportunities for EU member states to come from the UK’s departure.

“With the transfer of up to 250 jobs, the potential move of services from European Centre for Medium Range Forecasting to Ireland would hugely welcome. It would also further increase Ireland’s ‘pull factor’ for the creation of new green economy jobs and the potential for rapid growth of the Irish Climate Services ecosystem.

“Ireland has been shortlisted with 9 other EU member states, but I am hopeful that our strong proposal will be accepted. We have a fantastic working relationship with the UK Met Office, something that will be crucial to continuing these vital activities in the years ahead.

“With such a long and distinguished history of meteorological reporting in North Dublin at Dublin Airport, I think the area would be the absolute ideal location for this new centre,” Senator Doherty concluded.