On 28 June 2017 the ICEL held a full-day conference which examined the legal implications of both a soft and hard Brexit for trade on the island of Ireland with leading practitioners, academics and stakeholders in this field, exploring the potential consequences of the various options open to the negotiating parties.

Speakers included:

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.