25/10/2016 (Agence Europe) – With a view to the United Kingdom leaving the European Union, Ireland officially submitted its candidacy on Tuesday 25 October to host the two European agencies currently based in London: the European Banking Authority (EBA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). In a press release, Michael Noonan, the Irish finance minister, said that he was convinced by the attractiveness and experience Ireland had as a financial centre and that “Ireland has a significant financial services sector, efficient transport links to other European capitals, and the capacity to absorb the European Banking Authority’s re-location to Ireland”. His counterpart, responsible for the health department, Simon Harris, said that transferring the EMA to another English speaking country would minimise disruption. (MB)