Members of the Connecticut-Ireland Trade Commission discussed organizing smaller working groups to move priority initiatives forward after recent external meetings, including the Summit in Boston.

Commissioner Lechaine said participants who attended Boston agreed the commission needs faster, more focused work and proposed a subcommittee approach. “We’re behind the 8 ball. Like, really behind the 8 ball,” Lechaine said, urging the commission to act on near-term opportunities.

Commissioners identified education as a leading priority, including building community-college and university exchanges, expanding internship models, and supporting joint-degree or semester programs. Professor Christine Keneally of Quinnipiac University agreed to help with education outreach and noted Quinnipiac’s ongoing semester exchange with Cork University.

Other commissioners suggested separate subcommittees on trade (including tariff and customs issues affecting beverages and hospitality) and on investment (to consider models such as pension-fund allocations and pitch decks for potential institutional investors). The commission also discussed examples from other states, including a West Virginia program that partners with Irish firms on remote education in correctional settings.

Chair Tom Riley said he would compile notes and circulate them to members and asked volunteers to indicate willingness to serve on subcommittees ahead of the next meeting, which he announced would likely be Tuesday, Sept. 9 at the Legislative Office Building. “I’ll put some notes together and send it out to the membership,” he said.

Why it matters: The subcommittee approach is intended to create focused, actionable work streams so the commission can convert interest generated at conferences into concrete programming, outreach and potential investment facilitation.

Next step: Chair to circulate scoping notes and a sign-up request for commissioners willing to serve on education, trade and investment subcommittees.