Cross-Border centre conference to discuss Brexit

With polls in the United Kingdom showing a majority in favour of leaving the European Union, Brexit is a hot topic. Against this backdrop, a European Council summit is taking place this Thursday and Friday, at which British prime minister David Cameron will be hoping to secure renegotiated terms for the UK’s EU membership.

This year’s annual Centre for Cross-Border Studies conference, titled Bordering Between Unions, is taking place on the same days, with the aim of facilitating debate on the likely economic, social and political implications of a UK withdrawal or the possible reforms leading to its continuing membership.

The conference is taking place in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dundalk, and speakers include former Irish ambassador to the UK Dáithí O’Ceallaigh, Scottish Council for Development and Industry chief executive Ross Martin, former minister for state at the Department of Finance Martin Mansergh, Ulster Farmers’ Union deputy president Ivor Ferguson, economist Philip McDonagh and MEP Mairead McGuinness.

Given the unique ties between Ireland and the UK, conference organisers say the prospect of a UK withdrawal from the EU has created a climate of uncertainty.

Meanwhile, the British Irish Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual conference on Friday, 19th of February. The conference will focus on the potential impact of a British withdrawal from the EU and the effect it could have on businesses.

Speakers include ESB chair Ellvena Graham, Hailo Ireland general manager Tim Arnold, Ulster Bank chief economist Simon Barry, Dell Ireland general manager Niamh Townsend and  Dawn Farm Foods chief executive Larry Murrin.

The latest polls in the UK show support for a Brexit is snowballing, with more Britons now in favour of leaving the EU. While EU leaders say they are committed to helping Mr Cameron win the referendum, eastern Europeans are concerned the draft deal to limit welfare to EU immigrants to Britain could hurt their citizens working there.