Event report: The Brexit Referendum: the existential choices facing the UK and its implications for Ireland and the EU

On 26 April 2016, the Maynooth Centre for European and Eurasian Studies held an afternoon seminar to examine the myriad consequences of a British vote to leave the European Union.  The seminar took place in the 1st floor Seminar Room of the Iontas Building, which was filled to capacity prior to the event’s commencement.  It took the format of a roundtable discussion and was moderated by Arthur Beesley, economics editor with the Irish Times.  The line-up of speakers represented a range of disciplinary and professional perspectives on the upcoming referendum, consisting of both academic expertise and first-hand insights from practitioners.
 

The seminar commenced with some welcoming remarks from Prof Aidan Mulkeen, Maynooth University Deputy President.  The keynote address was then delivered by the British Ambassador to Ireland, His Excellency Dominick Chilcott, who offered a multifaceted overview of the ‘Brexit’ debate, examining the current state-of-play in the polls, the positions being taken by both sides of the debate, as well as the validity of their respective arguments.  Arthur Beesley then briefly offered his own take on the implications of a British exit from the EU, before introducing the first round-table panellist, Prof John O’Brennan, director of the Maynooth Centre for European and Eurasian Studies.    

In his contribution, Prof O’Brennan admonished the paltry nature of the social media campaign run by the ‘Remain’ camp, and highlighted their lack of effective engagement with civil society organisations, shortcomings which may prove crucial in determining the outcome of the referendum.  Taking a different angle on the issue, Prof Arthur Aughey, of the University of Ulster, stressed the psychological

dimension of the ‘Brexit’ debate, making the case that it constitutes a relatively unexamined yet highly important element of the British referendum.   Dr Aedín Doris of Maynooth University then offered an economic analysis of the ‘Brexit’ debate, and speculated about the ramifications of a vote to leave the European Union in areas such as foreign direct investment, and a potential reintroduction of tarrifs.  The final roundtable contribution was delivered by Dr Mary C Murphy of University College Cork.  She took the opportunity to highlight parallels in the British and Irish experiences of European integration and to discuss lessons learned from past Irish referendums.

Following these expert contributions, the floor was opened to questions from attendees, giving rise to a stimulating and engaging debate which allowed for each of the participants to expand and reflect upon the points they had made over the course of the roundtable.   The Maynooth Centre for European and Eurasian Studies would like to extend its deepest thanks to all those who contributed to this crucial timely discussion, whether through their participation or through their attendance.