Dutch ambassador visits Mullingar

(Above) Ambassador Adriaan Palm with Deputy Sorca Clarke at the Joe Dolan statue today.

The Netherlands Ambassador to Ireland had a full itinerary when he visited Mullingar earlier today.

After meeting representatives from Westmeath County Council in the morning, Ambassador Adriaan Palm met with with representatives from local businesses who have connections to The Netherlands.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner after the meeting with members of the business community, which was organised by Mullingar Chamber of Commerce, Ambassador Palm said that he was surprised by the number of local firms that have links with his home country.

“It was very interesting to hear from the business people here in Westmeath. How they see the future, what challenges they see and how we can work together. What struck me was how many people have links with The Netherlands.”

John Geoghegan, president of Mullingar Chamber of Commerce, said that meeting gave businesses with connections to The Netherlands a chance to discuss a number of issues with the ambassador, including the challenges posed by climate change.

“Some of the companies have investors who are Dutch and some of the companies have invested in The Netherlands themselves. The biggest is probably C&D Food, which has a plant in Holland.

“It went very well. It was a general, informal discussion...The conversation always wound its way back to carbon and the environment. They [the Dutch] have a whole different attitude to the way that it is dealt with. We are delighted to have him here.”

The ambassador also met with Deputy Sorca Clarke, who brought him on a walk up the Hill of Uisneach.

“The Hill of Uisneach is one of the showcase locations in the Mullingar area, but we are spoiled for choice for showcase locations in the midlands. It's a pleasure and an honour to have the ambassador in the town today and to be able to showcase what Mullingar has to offer to The Netherlands and how it is that we can move forward and build on the relationship that is there already for the betterment of both parties,” she said.