ICEL Brexit Series - Implications for Trade on the island of Ireland
10am - 5pm (registration from 9.30am). Trade is arguably the most contentious area in upcoming negotiations between the United Kingdom and EU27 in the context of the UK's withdrawal from the EU. A competence of the European Union, the UK will have to renegotiate its trading relationship with its European partners, a matter that poses a serious challenge for the island of Ireland, in particular, as speculation mounts as to the necessary re-emergence of a hard border with Northern Ireland, the resurrection of customs or "trade facilitation posts” and the results of the UK general election on 8th June. Is the UK still likely to depart the customs union? Will it continue to explore the possibility of asserting itself as a standalone member of the WTO and to establish its own tariff schedules or is a softer Brexit now inevitable? How will the UK approach formal negotiations which are due to commence on 19th June?
The ICEL’s timely conference proposes to examine the legal implications of both a soft and hard Brexit for trade on the island of Ireland in a full-day conference with leading practitioners, academics and stakeholders in this field, exploring the potential consequences of the various options open to the negotiating parties.
Speakers include:
Charlie Flanagan T.D. - Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade - Opening address - TBC
Dr John Temple Lang - Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton and former member of the Legal Service of the European Commission - Chair
Bernard O'Connor - NCTM Brussels - The clear and simple concepts underlying WTO trade law and the complexities in agreeing country schedules and concluding (free) trade agreements.
Timothy Lyons QC BL – 39 Essex Chambers, London - Customs union - EU foundation stone, Brexit stumbling stone.
Philip Lee - Managing Partner, Philip Lee Solicitors - The likely implications of hard and soft Brexit for Irish practitioners.
Prof. Joseph McMahon - Dean of Law, University College Dublin - Agricultural policies post-Brexit: A cap and four naps?
Prof. Christopher McCrudden - Queen's University Belfast - Northern Ireland and Brexit: the EEA Option.
Katie Daughen - Head of Brexit Research and Support Services, British Irish Chamber of Commerce - Brexit: The challenges for trade as we face an uncertain future.
Paul Kelly - Director of Food Drinks Ireland (FDI) representing IBEC - Brexit - The challenge for the food and drink sector.
Verona Murphy - President of the Irish Road Haulage Association - Brexit - Keep Ireland moving.
Brendan P. Ryan BL - Options for Post Brexit EU-UK Trade Relationships; WTO Tariffs and Cross-Border Trade.