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Committee approves Ireland trade commission bill after hearing from Irish senate leader
Summary
The House Government and Veterans Affairs Committee voted to recommend House Bill 1568, creating a North Dakota–Ireland trade commission to promote trade, investment and academic exchanges between the state and Ireland.
The House Government and Veterans Affairs Committee voted in favor of recommending House Bill 1568, which would create a North Dakota–Ireland trade commission to promote business and academic exchanges, encourage investment and serve as a point of contact for trade and education opportunities between North Dakota and Ireland.
Representative Mary Schneider introduced the bill and called in a remote witness: Senator Mark Daly, leader of the Irish Senate, addressed the committee by video. Daly described the commission as a mechanism to build two‑way relationships, with Ireland serving as a gateway to the European Union for U.S. firms and North Dakota providing trade and investment opportunities for Irish companies.
Nut graf: The measure drew bipartisan and institutional support at the hearing — the Department of Agriculture and North Dakota Trade Office both testified in favor — and the committee voted to recommend the bill (do‑pass) on a recorded roll call, 12–1.
Senator Daly said the commission would facilitate exchanges at the departmental and academic level and suggested annual delegations to Ireland (including Northern Ireland) and reciprocal visits by Irish parliamentary committees and business delegations. “We want our parliamentary committees…to go to North Dakota, visit with the trade commissioners, meet with your universities, meet with yourselves as legislators,” Daly said.
The Department of Agriculture and the state Trade Office testified in support, citing agricultural export opportunities and Ireland’s role as a gateway to EU markets. Drew Combs, executive director of the North Dakota Trade Office, noted the state already has business ties and that a standing commission would institutionalize outreach and make it easier for North Dakota companies to access EU markets.
Action at hearing: Representative Bail moved a do‑pass recommendation. Representative Steiner seconded. The committee took a roll‑call voice and the motion passed 12–1, with Representative Wolfe recorded as the lone no vote.
Ending: With a committee do‑pass recommendation, HB1568 will advance to the next step in the legislative process. Committee supporters said the commission would be a long‑term investment in international links for North Dakota businesses and universities.
