In her keynote at the DCU Brexit Institute Annual Lecture, Mairead McGuinness — EU Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief, and former European Commissioner and MEP — reflects on the Brexit process from the inside: as a policymaker, a politician, and an Irish citizen. Ten years on, she looks back at the decisions, the drama, and the lasting fallout for Ireland, Northern Ireland, and the European Union — and asks what the future holds as Ireland prepares to take on the EU Council Presidency.
Sincere thanks to all those who joined, our partners at the Centre for Cross Border Cooperation, and our hosts, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ireland.
Opening remarks were provided by Neale Richmond TD, Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora. Introductory remarks were provided by Dr. Anthony Soares, Centre for Cross Border Cooperation and Prof. Federico Fabbrini, DCU Brexit Institute. The Q&A was chaired by Prof. John Doyle, Dublin City University, with closing remarks from Prof. Daire Keogh, President of Dublin City University.
Recorded live at Iveagh House, Dublin | 15 June 2026