Some Irish politicians have argued that if Brexit happens, Ireland may have to follow suit, but that suggestion gets short shrift from Conway. “If the UK goes, I don’t see any reason why we would go with them. Politicians are scaremongering. I’m not sure how bad Brexit would be for us. We’ve always had a close relationship with the UK and I don’t think that would change.”
That special relationship pre-dates Ireland and the UK’s membership of the EU and Conway says: “I’d be amazed if that changed. We could actually ride two horses.”
Managing migration
Many people have pointed to the freedom of movement between the UK and Ireland which has existed since before they joined the EU, suggesting that any changes to movement post-Brexit will be minimal, despite what the Brexiters say about wanting to leave the EU to restrict immigration and freedom of movement. However, if the UK does leave the EU, it probably won’t be possible to return to the arrangements that existed between the UK and Ireland in pre-EU days. This is because the UK won’t be able to impose border controls to restrict immigration or movement from EU countries unless it imposes the same controls on Ireland (an EU country) that it does on all other members of the EU. Otherwise, there will be nothing to stop people trying to come into the UK via Ireland.
Creely believes that if Brexit restricts people’s mobility to work within the European framework, they may leave and the UK could lose some talent. That could be “a positive for another English speaking country like Ireland”. She also wonders whether Brexiters have considered how the UK’s influence will be diminished if it leaves the EU. “There are advantages of being in the EU and having a place at the table to debate, inform and lead strategy for the EU that aren’t fully understood sometimes,” she states.
For example, the European Parliament has just passed the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the biggest shake up to EU data laws in years, which applies to businesses of all sizes, anywhere in the world that hold information on European citizens. It brings to an end four years of work updating legislation which dates back to 1995. But if the UK votes for Brexit, what will it do about GDPR? “Will Britain create its own regulations we will have to comply with?,” Creely asks. “Does the agreement still apply? It creates a lot more bureaucracy for them not to be part of a system when they have been at the table negotiating it.”
While some have issued dire warnings of the consequences of a Brexit for Ireland, many others are not sure how it will play out. “As a significant trading partner, it will have to have some impact,” Creely acknowledges, “but I’m not fully aware yet of what that might be for Ireland. It could cause huge disruption to companies doing business with the UK.”
Conway says people in the UK need to consider the issue more deeply. “People are never happy with what they’ve got, they always want something different,” he comments. “But why not try and improve what you’ve got? If the UK opts out, it will be a long time before it’s accepted back in. They won’t get a second go at it and it will create years of uncertainty. The easiest solution is vote to stay in but I suspect they’re not going to do that. It’s a massive decision.”
Subscribers 0
Fans 0
Followers 0
Followers