Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan
ECONOMIC, civic and political leaders from Ireland, the UK and Europe will gather this Friday for the third annual Killarney Economic Conference.
The event at The Brehon in Killarney will see former Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, reflecting on the Good Friday Agreement and the likely impact of Brexit on the future of Northern Ireland. The former Fianna Fáil leader will also share his views on the way forward for the North-South relationship.
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan will take time out from the campaign trail to join in the debate and also in attendance will be Carwyn Jones, the former First Minister of Wales.
Brexit is once again on the agenda, with key discussions based on its impact on Northern Ireland and Ireland’s economic and diplomatic relationship with Germany in a post Brexit world. Other topics for discussion include sustainable rural development and protecting the family business in the rapidly changing economy.
Emer O’Riordan, Partner, Audit and Business Advisory, at Mazars Ireland, will attend the conference to discuss the challenges and opportunities for family business in relation to strategic planning as well as the issues associated with attracting and retaining talent in a competitive market. She will also provide guidance on government policy and what is required to support entrepreneurial and family owned businesses in a meaningful manner as well as broader topics related to the family business sector.
The one-day conference will be preceded by a special interview with Mike Russell, Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Constitutional Affairs and Government Business. That will take place in The Brehon at 9.00pm on Thursday evening.
Climate change presents very significant issues for Ireland and the response could be very challenging for rural areas. Speakers lined up to discuss the key issues affecting rural development include Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, Richard Byrne from Harper Adams University in the UK, Fraser Grieve, Scottish Council for Development and Industry and Niamh O’Sullivan, Chief Officer, Local Community Development Committee, Kerry County Council.
The high-profile event is sponsored by Kerry County Council and the local authority Chief Executive, Moira Murrell, remarked: “The event has become an important opportunity for experts to engage on important issues. The conference will highlight various topical issues including those relating to local government and on creating sustainable rural communities. I look forward to another insightful, engaging and informative conference.”
Other speakers lined up include Ralf Litteck, CEO of the German-Irish Chamber of Commerce; Fiona Graham, Director of Policy at the Institute of Family Business and John McGrane, CEO of the British-Irish Chamber of Commerce.
Thanks to Kerry County Council and Mazars’ generous sponsorship, the conference is free to attend. Pre-registration is required via the website Killarneyeconomicconference.com. A special networking lunch will be available at The Brehon, at a cost of €25 per person. This can be booked in advance by emailing info@killarneyeconomicconference.com.
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