United Ireland, Brexit and business

A UNITED Ireland is a possibility, but a comprehensive study is needed of what this will entail, according to former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

The Former Fianna Fáil leader also said that the a coalition with Sinn Féin and the FF party may have to be considered.

“I think the best thing on all of this, is that people change their minds very rapidly in elections so we’ll wait until mid-February, see what the numbers look like and then we’ll see how the cards are played, but it’s an issue we will be talking about next month,” said Mr Ahern.

Mr Ahern joined economic, civil, political and business leaders last Friday at the third Killarney Economic Conference to discuss a range of issues including the future of the Good Friday Agreement.

Mr Ahern called for an in-depth study of how the whole system of a United Ireland would work, but he said he disagreed with any suggestion to call a Border Poll in the near future.

“I, of course, would like to see a United Ireland sometime, whenever it happens. There are literally hundreds of issues that have to be addressed.

“I do agree with those who have said that there should be a study of these issues. I’d like to see it academically done with expertise from finance and law experts,” he told the conference.

A united Ireland was also discussed by the Rt Hon Carwyn Jones AM, the First Minister in the Welsh Assembly from 2008 to 2018.

“There are still some issues that people need to see resolved, it’s [a united Ireland] closer than it’s been, but I don’t think we’re in a position where people would vote for it in Northern Ireland. On the question of whether the Republic could want or afford the North, I don’t think there would be a choice emotionally. The reality is that if there was a vote [on reunification] it’s inevitable the people would want to see a united Ireland,”

Brexit was also a topic of discussion at the conference with Professor John O’Brennan; Jean Monnet, Professor of European Integration at Maynooth University; Professor Katy Hayward, Reader in Sociology at Queens University Belfast; Professor Ronan McCrea, Professor of Constitutional and European Law at University College London speaking, Chaired by Matthew O’Toole, SDLP MLA for South Belfast.

The business focus of the economic conference focused on family business.

The Executive Director of the Family Business Network, John McGrane, has called for the creation of a Department of Family Business with a senior Minister at the helm.

Other topics for discussion in the afternoon session included sustainable rural development, German and Irish relations. The 2020 Killarney

Economic Conference heard that a priority for the local authority is to strengthen communities and economies in urban and rural areas. The Chief Officer of the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) in Kerry County Council, Niamh O’Sullivan, said the Community Support Fund is often over-subscribed, which shows the indication or need out there for smallscale community support.

“Groups are constantly telling us that those small grants mean so much for them, to enable them to continue their voluntary work on the ground,” she said. “I don’t think anybody should underestimate the value of the smaller grants that we do give to community groups. On average, 350 groups benefit every year,” she said.

Niamh O’Sullivan was joined on the panel discussion on Rural Development by Eamon Ryan, Green Party Leader as well as other academics and rural development workers.

Photos by Valerie O’Sullivan Delegates, from left: Cleo Murphy, Green Party General Election candidate; Mary Healy-Whitling; Manager Killarney Municipal District Angela McAllen; Chief Executive Kerry County Council Moira Murrell at the third annual Killarney Economic Conference at the Brehon Hotel, Killarney on Friday.

Professor of constitutional and European Law at University College London Ronan McCrea in conversation with Dr Katy Hayward, reader in sociology, Queens University Belfast.

Ronan McCrea, University College London, Joanne O’Brien JLT and President Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce Paul Sherry.

Photos by Valerie O’Sullivan Dr William Sheehan, SDLP MLA South Belfast Matthew O’Toole, and Dr Katy Hayward, University of Belfast.

Photo by Valerie O’Sullivan Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern speaking about the future of the Good Friday Agreement at Friday’s Economic Conference in Killarney.

Photos by Valerie O’Sullivan Eamon Ryan, leader of the Green Party, speaking at the third annual Killarney Economic Conference at the Brehon Hotel on Friday.

Cathaoirleach Kerry County Council Cllr NIall Kelleher with Green Party leader Eamon Ryan at the conference.

Joni Kelly, Killarney, making a point at the conference.