CDE Global have asked eligible staff to apply for a Irish passport.

A Co Tyrone export company has asked its staff to apply for Irish passports if they are eligible.

CDE Global has asked it's 500 strong workforce to consider the measure as part of its Brexit preperations.

The Irish Times reported managing director Brendan McGurgan told Northern Ireland business leaders about the plan at a meeting of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) in Belfast on Thursday.

The Cookstown-based company manufactures wet processing equipment for a range of industries and distributes products across the world.

Mr McGurgan told the CIMA meeting that the company were exploring how they might avoid shipping costs when moving products through England after Brexit and what effects new tariffs could have on the company's future.

He also revealed that CDE Global are stockpiling key materials ahead of Brexit in the event that leaving the European Union causes delays in importing.

The Belfast Telegraph has contacted CDE Global for comment.

Belfast Telegraph