The British Irish Chamber of Commerce and the IIEA jointly host business roundtable discussion with the NLC as part of its European Forum visit to Ireland.
Business Roundtable with the National Liberal Club
Thursday 14 Nov 12.30pm – 2.00pm; IIEA, 8 North Great George’s Street, Dublin 2
The British Irish Chamber of Commerce and the IIEA are jointly hosting a business roundtable discussion with the National Liberal Club (NLC) as part of its European Forum visit to Ireland. The National Liberal Club delegation is a mix of senior business figures and peers from the House of Lords. The purpose of this business roundtable is for the delegation to gather knowledge of what issues businesses are facing in Ireland and to build an ongoing relationship between the group and Irish counterparts with an aim to continue the conversation beyond this particular meeting.
The business discussion is part of a broader programme of events for the NLC. In advance of coming to Ireland, the group were briefed by Lord Alderdice, first Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly and former leader of the Alliance Party; and H.E. Adrian O’Neill, Ambassador of Ireland to the UK, on the historical context of the UK-Irish relationship and the current situation.
Prior to Thursday’s discussion, the group will have spent three days in Northern Ireland meeting with political leaders, businesses and higher education institutions. They will also have met with the British Ambassador the evening before and will be meeting with Minister McEntee immediately after this discussion. There is a roundtable with Higher Education institutions planned for Friday morning.
The focus of this discussion are business issues as they relate to Brexit. Key points of discussion that the group would like to address include:
• The implications of Brexit for Irish business, trade and relationships with the UK;
• How Brexit is being managed by Irish businesses;
• What impact will Brexit have on differing businesses / sectors / regions; and
• The challenges posed by Brexit for UK-Irish trade.
Format for the Event
The discussion will be moderated by Brian Daly, Head of Brexit, KPMG and Board Member of the British Irish Chamber of Commerce. There will be a top table of contributors from each of the partners participating that will lead the discussion with theatre style seating for the remaining participants.
Brian will open discussion and provide an introduction to the British Irish Chamber of Commerce, outlining its purpose and its work. Lord David Chidgey will introduce the National Liberal Club and provide an overview of the purpose of the visit followed by Donal de Buitléir, who will introduce the IIEA and outline the work of the organisation’s UK Group. After these introductions, the other speakers will make brief contributions addressing the key points for the discussion.
Following contributions from the top table the discussion will be opened out to the room for further points. All attendees are encouraged to contribute and share what Brexit means for their business. Speakers will be asked to identify themselves ahead of making their contribution.
Running Order
12:30pm: Business Roundtable with NLC Delegation
12:45pm: Participants Arrival: Light lunch will be served. Participants can eat lunch at their seats during the discussion.
12:55pm: Welcome & Introductory Remarks:
• Brian Daly, Head of Brexit, KPMG and Board Member of the British Irish Chamber of Commerce
• Lord David Chidgey, President National Liberal Club Commonwealth Forum
• Donal de Buitléir, Director General, IIEA
Top Table Contributions (3 mins each)
• Trayc Keevans, Morgan McKinley;
• Sir Simon Hughes, National Liberal Club;
• Tom Arnold, IIEA;
• Emily Robinson, National Liberal Club;
• David Carson, Deloitte;
• Blair Horan, IIEA
1.15pm: Open to the floor for general discussion (30 minutes)
1.45pm: Wrap up discussion / Networking
2.00pm: EVENT CLOSE
