Belfast’s Brexit experience
Brexit and Belfast are on the agenda for a lecture hosted by UCC.
The Lord Mayor of Belfast, John Finucane, will deliver a public lecture entitled Brexit: A Belfast Perspective at UCC’s Centre for Executive Education on Lapps Quay.
Cllr John Finucane was elected to the office of Lord Mayor on 21 May this year and will serve as Lord Mayor through the Brexit negotiations until June 2020.
Cllr Finucane said: “I’m delighted to be visiting Cork, representing Belfast and taking the opportunity to look at the potential for links, greater connectivity and collaborative working between our two great cities, especially in the context of Brexit.
“Looking at Brexit through a Belfast lens, collaboration, partnerships and networks with all sectors has already allowed us to deliver so many economic and social outcomes for the city, all aligned with our city vision, the Belfast Agenda and its four key pillars to ensure inclusive growth, growing the economy, living here, city development and working and learning. “We work hard every day, alongside our partners and networks, to make Belfast the city of choice for investment and a great place to live. Brexit has sharpened this work for us, making it our central focus in the time ahead. I look forward to sharing many learnings during my visit and building strong connections and links with Cork.”
The 39 year old grew up in north Belfast and was educated at St Malachys College, before studying Law at Dundee University. Cllr Finucane currently owns his own legal practice. The Lord Mayor’s themes for the year are human rights, social justice and the environment.
Speaking about the lecture, Jean Monnet Chair in European Integration and lecturer in politics at UCC, Dr Mary Murphy, said: “As the UK and the EU agree an exit deal, some of the basis for contact and cooperation between Ireland and the UK is removed. In this context, it is important that we confront what Brexit means, not just for Ireland as a whole, but for its city-regions and their links with all parts of the island.”
The lecture takes place at the Centre for Executive Education on Lapps Quay on Thursday 24 October at 4pm.
Admission is free but the public are advised to register. Attendees can register at eventbrite.com.