Firms here offered free London office

Launchpad For London will see 10 Irish companies establish themselves rent-free in London's new smart city at Wembley Park.

"With Brexit dominating the news, it is easy to forget that Britain is our largest trading partner and offers better access to funders, a better attitude to risk and a massive market for many Irish firms," Magnet Networks chief executive Mark Kellett said.

"The 10 Irish companies who base themselves at Magnet's headquarters at York House in the smart city will pay no rent for four months...they will have the fastest connection available, direct fibre optic connections from Ireland to their London desks and access to one of the largest internet of things and smart city test beds in the world," he added.

“We are inviting interested companies to log on to launchpadforlondon.ie and complete the simple entry form before Monday April 10.”

Enterprise Ireland's regional director for the UK and northern Europe, Marina Donohoe, praised the initiative for focusing on the importance of having a UK presence in a post-Brexit Europe. She said the UK would continue to be the largest export market for Enterprise Ireland client companies for the foreseeable future.