Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Gordon Brown, addressed a Business Leaders’ Dinner on the future of Britain’s relationship with the European Union and the potential consequences of a Brexit yesterday.
The event took place at PwC Ireland, Dublin with over 150 Senior Business Leaders in attendance.
PwC recently released a survey which indicated that 83% of Irish business leaders say Brexit may have a 'negative' impact on Ireland's economy with over half (55%) saying they have either not yet decided if they will undertake scenario planning or have not yet started it.
Commenting on a potential Brexit last night, Gordan Brown said, "People often forget that Ireland is the UK’s biggest trading partner after the USA, France, Germany and the Netherlands. The UK and Ireland are so closely interconnected as members and partners in the European Union that a British exit from the European Union would hurt both."
He added, "We share a common agenda to open up the European single market to digital, energy and financial and service sector firms thus creating thousands of jobs in our two economies. Without the UK there might be a blocking minority to prevent the changes that are needed. With the UK and Ireland working together our economic future is more secure."
Source: www.businessworld.ie