LEADING Irish business people in Britain have established an informal group to become more involved in the Irish economy.

Members are expected to network with each other and seek out business opportunities for Irish companies in Ireland and Britain.

The network was launched in London yesterday at a business breakfast organised by An Bord Trachtala/the Irish Trade Board (ABT). The President, Mrs Mary Robinson, addressed more than 150 business people at the breakfast.

Mr Patrick Maher, Bord Trachtala's director in Britain said the time was right to establish a database of Irish people or people with Irish connections in Britain.

"Everyone is interested in the booming Irish economy and they want a piece of the action," he said.

The trade board would act as a "clearing house to a certain extent" in helping companies in Ireland and Britain to do business.

He said the peace process, improving relations between the two countries and economic growth in Ireland were all contributing to a wish by companies to become involved with Ireland.

Ireland was Britain's seventh largest trading partner and did £14.5 billion trade in goods last year. He said Ireland was Britain's largest customer in a number of sectors, including clothing, footwear and building materials.

It was also Britain's second-largest supplier and customer for food and its number one importer of goods on a per capita basis, at £2,100 per head of population.

ABT's database of influential Irish people or people of Irish descent working in Britain, would provide the trade board with a fantastic network which would assist companies on the exporting side".

Yesterday's breakfast was attended by people with Irish connections based mainly in manufacturing, banking, publishing and construction.

President Robinson said Ireland was being seen as a very good country in terms of investment and trading terms. Until now there had not been the same opportunities to utilise the "buoyant Irish diaspora" in Britain as there had been elsewhere.

Mr Liam Strong, chief executive of Sears, said the new network should spell good news for Irish textile manufacturers.

Britain was picking up and Irish companies who had fast turnaround times for producing clothes could look forward to strong demand from Britain in the second half of the year.

Mr Kieran Crowley, general manager of AT Cross (UK) Ltd, said the new organisation represented a great opportunity for companies in Ireland and Britain.

A number of prominent Irish business people in Britain had helped to change the negative image of Ireland.

Waterford-born Mr Ned Sullivan, vice-president of International Distillers and Vintners said many Irish people were working in very senior positions in Britain, but until now the structure was very loose.

He said Irish people like to help each other - if the conditions are right. "Alter all, business is business, he said.

Some Irish companies will also be mentored by experienced companies in Britain as they try to build up business in the UK market.