United Ireland is closer than ever

Gender balance: Panelists at the thirrd annual Killarney Economic Conference in the Brehon Hotel, Killarney

Delegates at the conference listening closely to the debate, from left, Cleo Murphy, Kerry Green Party, general election candidate, Mary Healy-Whitling, Angela McAllen, Killarney Municipal District Manager and Moira Murrell, Chief Executive, Kerry County Council

Dr William Sheehan, organiser of the Killarney Economic Conference (left) chats with Matthew O’Toole, SDLP, MLA, South Belfast and Dr Katy Hayward, University of Belfast

Green tie, Greens leader: Mayor of Kerry, Cllr NIall Kelleher discusses the general election campaign with Green Party leader Eamon Ryan

Green Party leader, Eamon Ryan

Taking on water: Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, with Dr Katy Hayward, Queen’s University Belfast

Mirror image: Kevin Burns, Kerry County Council, Ross Church, Kerry County Council, Angela McAllen, Manager, Killarney Municipal District, Lucy Crowe, ITT and Prof John O’Brennan, Maynooth University

Time for tea: Sheila O’Callaghan, Lake Hotel, Killarney (left), Marcella Doyle, Naughton and Co Accountants, Richard Byrne, Harper University and Brian Miley, Gleneagle Group enjoying a brief break

THE prospect of a united Ireland is closer than it has ever been but it’s not inevitable, the high-profile Killarney Economic Conference heard this Friday.

Former First Minister in the Welsh Assembly, Carwyn Jones, addressed the issue during the course of an engaging event in the Brehon Hotel where Brexit, the future of Northern Ireland and challenges facing family businesses were among the topics for discussion.

Referring specifically to a united Ireland, Mr Jones remarked: “There are still some issues that people need to see resolved. It’s closer than it’s been but I don’t think we’re in a position where people would vote for it in Northern Ireland”

He added: “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, it’s inevitable the people would want to see a united Ireland which was always a core part of the establishment of the State in the 1920s”
Speaking at the conference, Family Business Network chief,  John McGrane, called for the creation of a Department of Family Business with a senior minister at the helm.
During a discussion on the challenges facing family businesses in Ireland and the UK, he said the introduction of such a position in the coming years would be helpful.
“A minister for family business in Ireland is exactly what most families would gain most benefit from in terms of having their voice understood and driving the resources of government and our taxes towards the benefit of securing long-term strength in family businesses in every part of the country,” he said.
Other topics for discussion in the afternoon session included sustainable rural development, German and Irish relations and the future of the Good Friday Agreement with former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

Pictures: Valerie O’Sullivan. Click on individual images for details

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