Ireland is expected to get a Brexit bonus with the relocation of Europe’s weather headquarters to Dublin.
Fine Gael Senator Regina Doherty has thrown her support behind Met Eireann’s bid to get the European centre for forecasting relocated from the UK.
The facility acts as a global leader in predicting weather forecasts and co-ordinates all European weather preparations.
The move would see the creation of 250 jobs and Senator Doherty believes Dublin Airport would be an ideal location.
Due to Brexit, EU-funded activities of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts will have to move from its current location in Reading, England, to a European member state.
She said: “For years we have all been aware of the huge risks associated with Brexit, so I am happy to see Ireland is fighting for some of the immediate opportunities for EU member states to come from the UK departure.
“Ireland has been shortlisted with nine 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.”
Senator Doherty added: “With such a long and distinguished history of meteorological reporting at Dublin Airport, I think the area would be the absolute ideal location.”
A Met Eireann statement said: “The shortlisting of Ireland’s bid represents a recognition of Ireland’s significant potential to support a world-leading research centre in weather, climate and earth system science – and to contribute to Europe’s response to the defining challenges of the 21st century: climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation.”
