CCBS Annual Conference 2016

“Bordering Between Unions: What Does the UK Referendum on Europe Mean for Us?”

This year’s annual conference was held in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dundalk, on Thursday 18 and Friday 19 February.

It facilitated wide-ranging and informed discussions on the likely economic, social and political implications of a UK withdrawal or the possible reforms leading to its continuing membership upon these islands and upon the wider future direction of Europe.

The Centre was delighted to welcome speakers and attendees from across Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and beyond for what was a thoroughly successful and informative event.

For those who were unable to attend the conference, or those who would like to re-live the experience, we have included below the full audio clips of the individual contributions from our guest speakers, as well as the question and answer sessions.

Programme

Thursday 18 February

WELCOME – Dr Helen Johnston, Chair, Centre for Cross Border Studies

KEYNOTE: How the European Union has changed Ireland: North & South – Dáithí O’Ceallaigh, Former Irish Ambassador to the UK

PANEL DISCUSSION – How the European Union has changed Ireland: North and South

• (Chair) Dr Katy Hayward, Senior Lecturer at Queen’s University, Belfast
• Dr Martin Mansergh, Former Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Transcript)
• Dr Mary C Murphy, Lecturer, University College Cork

Q&A

KEYNOTE: Constitutional & Political Implications of Withdrawal from the EU – Humza Yousaf MSP, Minister for Europe and International Development, Scottish Government

PANEL DISCUSSION: Constitutional & Political Implications of Withdrawal from the EU

• (Chair) Andy Pollak, Former Director, Centre for Cross Border Studies
• Dr Adam Lazowski, Professor of Law, University of Westminster
• Dr Lee McGowan, Senior Lecturer, Queen’s University Belfast (Presentation)
• Paul Brannen MEP, Labour Party Member of the European Parliament

Q&A

KEYNOTE: Free Movement of People – Jeremy Harding, Author of Border Vigils and Refugees at the Rich Man’s Gate

PANEL DISCUSSION: Free Movement of People

• (Chair) Annmarie O’Kane, Information Manager, Centre for Cross Border Studies
• Jerome Mullen, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland in Northern Ireland (Transcript)
• Yasen Georgiev, Executive Director, Economic Policy Institute, Bulgaria (Transcript)
• Bernadette McAliskey, Director, South Tyrone Empowerment Programme

END OF DAY 1 SUMMARY – Dr Anthony Soares, Deputy Director, Centre for Cross Border Studies

Friday 19 February

KEYNOTE: What Europe Do We Want? – Mairead McGuinness MEP, Vice-President of the European Parliament

PANEL DISCUSSION: What Europe Do We Want?

• (Chair) Philip McDonagh, Independent Economist
• Dr Edgar Morgenroth, Associate Research Professor, Economic & Social Research Institute (ESRI) (Presentation)
• Ross Martin, CEO, Scottish Council for Development and Industry
• Nigel Smyth, Director, CBI Northern Ireland (Presentation)
• Ivor Ferguson, Deputy President, Ulster Farmers Union (Presentation)

TABLE DISCUSSIONS: What Europe Do We Want?

PANEL DISCUSSION: The Institutional Reform Agenda

• (Chair) Jane Morrice, Former Vice President European Economic & Social Committee
• Professor Hugh Quigley, Visiting Professor on EU Regulatory Affairs, University of Ulster (Transcript)
• Pat Colgan, Former CEO Special EU Programmes Body
• Colette Fitzgerald, Head of the EU Commission Regional Office in Northern Ireland

Q&A

PANEL DISCUSSION: The Political Reform Agenda

• (Chair) Dr Helen Johnston, Chair, Centre for Cross Border Studies
• Stewart Dickson MLA, Alliance Party
• Jennifer McCann MLA, Junior Minister, Sinn Féin
• Jill Evans MEP, Plaid Cymru
• Marian Harkin MEP, Independent Member of the European Parliament
• Patsy McGlone MLA, SDLP
• Mike Nesbitt MLA, Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party

Q&A

CLOSING REMARKS – Ruth Taillon, Director, Centre for Cross Border Studies

Delegates

Download the Delegate List