Connecticut-Ireland commission plans education, trade and investment subcommittees

Commission members discussed next steps to follow up on presentations from the consulate and Northern Ireland fund representatives and proposed forming three subcommittees: education, trade and investment.

Commissioners said education should be a top priority and suggested enlisting Professor Christine Keneally and other higher-education contacts to expand programs, including student exchanges, internships and community-college partnerships. A Quinnipiac representative at the meeting said the university sends about 60 students each spring to Cork University and suggested internship models and the Frederick Douglass–Daniel O’Connell Global Fellows program as possible templates for expansion.

On trade, commissioners noted confusion among local businesses about tariffs — especially in the drinks and hospitality sector — and asked for a future briefing from trade experts and representatives from agencies such as the World Trade Center or World Affairs Council. They also discussed inviting representatives from Tourism Ireland and trade promotion agencies to explain tariff and market-entry issues.

On investment, commissioners recommended following up on the Northern Ireland Growth Fund’s request for introductions to Connecticut pension/investment officials and asked the fund to provide a presentation deck and information memorandum for review. Commissioners said they would consider forming an investment subcommittee to examine examples of public-pension co-investment and to prepare materials for state officials.

Commissioners agreed to continue meeting and considered scheduling the next full commission meeting for Tuesday, Sept. 9 at the Legislative Office Building. Members volunteered to draft subcommittee scopes and suggested that commission staff circulate a list of potential presenters and dates for the fall.