MLAs meet USA consul general

Local Ulster Unionist MLAs Jo-Anne Dobson and Doug Beattie MC meeting with United States Consul General to Northern Ireland, Dan Lawton.

Speaking after the meeting which took place at Danesfort House, the United States Consulate in Northern Ireland, Mrs Dobson said: “Doug and I very much welcomed the opportunity to meet with Dan and to discuss our local historic, cultural and economic links with the United States.

“We discussed the economic impact of Brexit on the Upper Bann Constituency and looked towards future economic growth and job creation in the region.”

Also commenting Doug Beattie MC said: “There are many ties which bind the people of the United States and Northern Ireland and it’s staggering to think that our consulate in Belfast is the second oldest continuously operating U.S. Consulate in the world.

“Alongside discussing current and future economic investment in the local area I particularly welcomed the opportunity to raise the military and security links between us and my own experience of working and serving alongside the U.S. Military.”

In conclusion Mrs Dobson said: “Locally we have many families and companies with very strong U.S. links.

“We can be proud that one of Dan’s first engagements when he took up post was in Upper Bann - the official opening of ‘Brownlow HQ’, the WWII exhibition at Brownlow House in Lurgan.

“It is with a real sense of pride that the Brownlow House plaque presented to him on that day takes pride of place on the mantlepiece in his office.”