BLOG – Economics of Brexit

Brexit and Beer: A Bad Hangover for British Brewers?

Sven Van Kerckhoven, Sean O’ Dubhghaill, and Carlota Gomez Jimenez (Brussels School of Governance) For many centuries, the British beer market developed in quite a unique fashion. Typically, beer (ales) was brewed on the premises where it was sold, but this slowly changed with the arrival of guilds who improved both beer’s quality and availability.…
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Brexit after 2021

Federico Fabbrini (DCU Brexit Institute)  2021 has been a year of passage for Brexit – the process of the United Kingdom (UK) withdrawal from the European Union (EU) – but the Promised Land much hailed by the Brexiteers seems increasingly a faraway mirage. On the one hand, 2021 marked yet another step in the process of…
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The evolution of economic anxiety across the Brexit debate

Francesco Carbonero (Fondazione CRC/University of Turin), Jeremy Davies (East Village Consultants), Ekkehard Ernst (ILO), Sayantan Ghosal (Adam Smith Business School), and Leaza McSorley (University of Sunderland) Shocks and uncertainty are on the rise again. After the 2008 global financial crisis, automation and the rise of the gig economy, a revival of populism and nationalism, Brexit…
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After Brexit: UK Citizens Living in Europe

Orsolya Farkas (Free University of Bolzano/Bozen) It has been clear since the very beginning that Brexit would fundamentally change the legal status of the approx. 1.2 million UK citizens living in Europe, and that those who are planning to move will find themselves in a new situation. But it was less expected that uncertainty –…
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Immigration, Free Movement and Brexit

Jonathan Portes (Kings College London and UK in a Changing Europe) Immigration was a major factor – perhaps the major factor – in the Brexit vote. Over the past two decades, migration from the EU has boosted UK growth, helped address skill and labour shortages, and benefited the public finances. It also led to rapid…
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Brexit ‘not done’ for Data Protection

Karen Mc Cullagh (University of East Anglia) The current Prime Minister of the UK, Mr Boris Johnson, was infamously elected to “get Brexit done,” and he claimed to have achieved this goal when the European Union and United Kingdom agreed upon the terms of the historic EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (the “Trade Agreement”) on 24th…
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Johnson’s ‘Oven Ready’ Brexit is a Slow Burner

Feargal Cochrane (University of Kent) Boris Johnson won last year’s general election, in part, because of his claim to have an ‘oven ready’ Brexit. ‘We’ve just got to put it in at gas mark four, give it 20 minutes and Bob’s your uncle. …We have a deal with the EU that is ready to go,…
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Societal Happiness and Brexit: an Overlooked Outcome

Stathis Polyzos (Zayed University) The Brexit negotiation has seen many deadlines come and go.  The process began in March 2017 and now, more than three years later, there seems to be little optimism for a reasonable deal in time for 31 December, yet another deadline that will probably be missed.  Even if negotiators manage to…
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The Interim UK-Canada FTA: Good News for British Exporters

David Collins (City, University of London) The UK struck a new free trade agreement (FTA) with Canada over the weekend, ahead of the 31 December Brexit deadline after which the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) would cease to apply to the UK, leaving it to trade with Canada under the less generous terms…
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Post-Brexit: the Future UK-EU Construction Industry Relationship

Jennifer Charlson (University of Wolverhampton) The construction sector’s importance to the UK’s economy is explained. The UK-EU Political Declaration incorporates clauses relevant to the construction industry which are explored in this article. However, if no UK-EU agreement is reached by 31 December 2020, the UK will trade with the EU on World Trade Organisation rules.…
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The Impact of Brexit on ‘Bail-Inable’ Liabilities under English Law

Pier Mario Lupinu (University of Luxembourg) Over three years have passed since the unprecedent decision by the UK to trigger Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union in order to withdraw from the EU membership. From that moment on, multiple legal issues emerged, which mostly depend on the finalisation of an agreement setting the…
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The UK Government Created Expectations by IP Investors to then Breach their Trust, Ditching the Unified Patent Court’s Momentum

Riccardo Vecellio Segate (University of Macau) Within the portfolio of initiatives dedicated to enhancing EU’s competitiveness and global outreach, institutions in Brussels have long striven for delivering on the promise of a more coherent system of intellectual property, able to compete on equal footing with the US market and an increasingly assertive China, where legislative…
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The European Fintech Industry after Brexit

Pierangelo Rosati (DCU Business School) After years of discussions and negotiations, the United Kingdom (UK) finally left the European Union (EU) on 31 January 2020. Even though this is clearly a big step for the UK and for those who voted to leave in 2016, it is more formal than substantial. In fact, most uncertainties…
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Brexit and the conservation of biodiversity

Stefano Canessa (Ghent University), Alejandra Morán Ordóñez and Virgilio Hermoso (InForest) Although the political situation remains fluid, at present the United Kingdom is set to leave the European Union, and with it the EU’s ambitious Biodiversity Conservation Strategy, its landmark Directives, the Natura 2000 network of protected areas (the world’s largest), and other policy frameworks…
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Event Report: Brexit and Data Protection

Jasmine Faudone (Brexit Institute) On October 17th 2019 the Brexit Institute hosted the event “Brexit and Data Protection” at the Talent Garden-DCU Alpha, sponsored by Dublin Airport, AIB Ireland, Arthur Cox Law and Grant Thornton. This was also the occasion for the launch of the new MA Program in “Data Protection and Privacy Law”. Professor…
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 Brexit and Blockchain Technology

This article is the first of a Brexit Institute Blog Series on “Brexit and blockchain technology”, where we aim to assess the impact of blockchain on the Brexit process under various perspectives. Other contributions are going to be featured in the coming weeks.  Brexit and Blockchain Technology     Lory Kehoe (Consensys) A cornerstone of…
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Thanks to Brexit: An ever-closer Union in financial supervision

Thanks to Brexit: An ever-closer Union in financial supervision     Nathan de Arriba-Sellier (Leiden and Rotterdam Universities) Three years after the referendum, the path to Brexit has proven to be a litmus test for European supervisory arrangements. In addition to the preparations led by proactive and cooperating British and European authorities, a large reform…
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The importance of being equivalent: Brexit and financial services

The importance of being equivalent: Brexit and financial services     Scott James (King’s College London) & Lucia Quaglia (University of Bologna) Over the summer, the impasse in the negotiations concerning a new framework agreement between the European Union (EU) and Switzerland led to the EU’s withdrawal of Switzerland’s equivalence status in finance. This move…
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Event Report: “Brexit, the Irish Economy and the Future of European Fintech”

On 16 September 2019 the Brexit Institute, in cooperation with Dublin Airport Central, has hosted an event on “Brexit, the Irish Economy and the Future of European Fintech”. The event, opened by Dalton Philips (CEO of Dublin Airport), Brian MacCraith (President of DCU) and Federico Fabbrini (Director of the Brexit Institute) was heavily attended and…
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Brexit and the future of Fintech  

This article introduces the event “Brexit, the Irish Economy and the Future of European Fintech” that will be hosted by the Brexit Institute at Maldron Hotel Dublin Airport on Monday, 16 September 2019. The event features a keynote speech given by Paschal Donohoe (Minister of Finance of Ireland).     Brexit and the future of Fintech…
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No Deal, No Backstop: The Potential Impact on Northern Ireland

No Deal, No Backstop: The Potential Impact on Northern Ireland   Cameron Boyle (Immigration Advice Service) As we hurtle towards our Brexit deadline of the 31st of October, the prospect of leaving without a deal appears increasingly likely. Not only this, but Boris Johnson has now described the Irish backstop – a means of ensuring…
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How could economists make themselves useful in the Brexit debate?

How could economists make themselves useful in the Brexit debate? Marianna Koli (New College of Humanities) What should the priorities for economists be in communicating economic policy to the public at a time when trade policy may be changing fundamentally? Public interest in the economic implications of Brexit is certainly strong, as evidenced, for example,…
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The Temporary Movement of Service Sector Workers After Brexit

The Temporary Movement of Service Sector Workers After Brexit Johanna Jacobsson (IE Law School) Public discussion on Brexit has focused more on goods than services. That is understandable considering that trade in services is harder to explain and harder to put in numbers. It is also harder to liberalize than trade in goods. However, explaining services…
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Switzerland-EU Bilateralism: From Pragmatism to Mutual Frustration

Switzerland-EU Bilateralism: From Pragmatism to Mutual Frustration Cenni Najy  (University of Geneva) Switzerland’s European integration trajectory has been unique and very puzzling to most observers. Switzerland is indeed a particular case. It is the only country of Western Europe not to have joined the EU or the multilateral association offered by the European Economic Area…
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Brexit and the Political Economy of Northern Ireland

Brexit and the Political Economy of Northern Ireland M. Leann Brown (University of Florida) There has been a flood of speculation, analysis, predictions and dire warnings about the possible economic consequences of the secession of the United Kingdom from the European Union for Northern Ireland (NI). Much of this commentary focuses on the possible effects on…
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Why Trump’s Trade Policy is no Friend of Brexit

Why Trump’s Trade Policy is no Friend of Brexit Charlotte Sieber-Gasser (DCU Brexit Institute)   The escalation in the numerous trade disputes initiated by the US government and the fact that the World Trade Organization (WTO) is unlikely to maintain a fully operational dispute settlement system beyond 2019 must be taken into consideration in any…
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New Study by UNCTAD on Implications of No-Deal Brexit for Developing Countries

New Study by UNCTAD on Implications of No-Deal Brexit for Developing Countries Charlotte Sieber-Gasser (DCU Brexit Institute) A recent study by UNCTAD indicates that the poorest developing countries are at risk of a decline in exports to the UK in the case of No-Deal Brexit. On the other hand, industrial countries, emerging markets and developing countries,…
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A Fiscal Capacity for the Eurozone: Constitutional Perspectives – Executive Summary

By Federico Fabbrini (Dublin City University) The European Parliament’s Committee for Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) recently asked Prof. Federico Fabbrini, Director of the DCU Brexit Institute, to write an in-depth report on the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). The report “A Fiscal Capacity for the Eurozone: Constitutional Perspectives” is available here. This is a summary of the…
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Brexit and Family Business

Brexit and Family Business Yvonne Kiely (Dublin City University)  Insights on how family businesses can plan ahead for the consequences of Brexit urge a greater focus on family dynamics and next generation planning, according to Eric Clinton, professor at DCU Business School and Director of the DCU National Centre for Family Business. DCU National Centre…
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Event Report: Brexit and Agri-Food

Event Report: Brexit and Agri-Food Chloé Papazian (DCU Brexit Institute) On January 31, the DCU Brexit Institute hosted an event on Brexit and Agri-Food. The event was opened by Micheline Calmy-Rey (former President of Switzerland) and featured a Panel discussion with leading academics and industry specialists. The Panel included Eric Clinton (Dublin City University), Shane…
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Is “Global Britain” a Viable Role for the Post-Brexit UK?

Is “Global Britain” a Viable Role for the Post-Brexit UK? Andrew Glencross (Aston University) The “Global Britain” slogan is the brainchild of Prime Minister Theresa May. She proposed the term in her first major speech on the UK’s post-Brexit posture as a way to fight off accusations that leaving the EU would lead to an…
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Do “Realms of Gold” Await Global Britain in South America? Prospects for a UK-Mercosur Trade Deal

Do “Realms of Gold” Await Global Britain in South America? Prospects for a UK-Mercosur Trade Deal Michael Mindorff and Louise Bekkers (Leiden University College The Hague) Last May, then-Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson wrote rhapsodically of the “realms of gold” awaiting the UK in South America  after the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. The UK and Latin American…
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Preparing for Doomsday: Financial Services After a No-Deal Brexit

Preparing for Doomsday: Financial Services After a No-Deal Brexit Ioannis G. Asimakopoulos (University of Luxembourg) Introduction They say that real life writes the best plots, and that could not be more true than in the case of Brexit. And while the majority of MPs in Westminster do not favour a no deal Brexit, and while economic…
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Event Report: Brexit and Aviation

Event Report: Brexit and Aviation Gabriel Grigore (Dublin City University) On 15 November 2018, the DCU Brexit Institute, in partnership with Dublin Airport Central organised a half-day conference on Brexit and Aviation, hosted at the Grant Thornton headquarters, in Dublin. After an opening message of welcome from Michael McAteer (Managing Partner, Grant Thornton), this event…
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We Need to Talk About Brexit and Aviation

Upcoming Event: Brexit and Aviation, November 15. Full details here. Barry McMullin (DCU School of Electronic Engineering) I recently received an invitation from the DCU Brexit Institute to its event to be held today on the subject of Brexit and Aviation. It seems like an important and timely topic, with an excellent line up of expert and…
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If Money Talks, What Does it Say About Brexit?

If Money Talks, What Does it Say About Brexit? Iain McMenamin (Dublin City University) [This is a summary of If Money Talks, What Does it Say About Brexit? It is the latest paper in the DCU Brexit Institute Working Paper Series.] Politics used to be easy for British business. There was really only one relevant…
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Will a Hard Brexit Lead to a Hard Border? WTO Law and the Backstop

Will a Hard Brexit Lead to a Hard Border? WTO Law and the Backstop Chloé Papazian (Dublin City University) On 7 December 2017, the EU and the UK Government concluded in a Joint Report that they should agree on a so-called ‘backstop’ solution for the Irish border to prevent a border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.…
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Mark Carney on No-Deal Brexit

Mark Carney on No-Deal Brexit: This is Modern Central Banking, but Please Handle with Care   Donato Masciandaro (Department of Economics, Bocconi University and SUERF) On Friday the Governor of the Bank of England (BoE) Mark Carney said that there was as “uncomfortably high” risk of the UK leaving the European Union without a deal, and…
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Event Report: Brexit, Customs and Trade

Event Report: Brexit, Customs and Trade Cornelia-Adriana Baciu On 14 June 2018, the DCU Brexit Institute organized an event on “Brexit, Customs and Trade”. This event featured an opening keynote speech by Michael Russell, Scottish Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe, followed by an expert panel discussion and a closing keynote speech…
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Brexit, Customs and Trade

Brexit, Customs and Trade Edgar L. W. Morgenroth (Dublin City University) Edgar Morgenroth is Professor of Economics at the DCU Business School. He will be speaking in Dublin on 14 June at a public event on “Brexit, Customs and Trade” organized by the DCU Brexit Institute. The event will also feature keynote speeches by Michael…
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Event Report On “Brexit, Medicine and Public Health”

Event Report on “Brexit, Medicine and Public Health” By Ross Nugent (Dublin City University) On 3 May 2018, the DCU Brexit Institute organized an event on “Brexit, Medicine and Public Health”. This event featured an opening debate between Baroness Suttie (Member of the UK House of Lords, European Union Committee) and Paulo Rangel (Member of the EU Parliament, Constitutional Affairs Committee), followed…
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Brexit and the Irish Health System

Upcoming Event: Brexit, Medicine and Public Health, 3 May 2018 Brexit and the Irish Health System Anthony Staines (Dublin City University) Our nearest and dearest neighbours are engaged in leaving the European Union.  For Ireland, the experience may be less like your neighbours moving, than them moving, taking their house, garden, the road outside, and…
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Event Report on “Brexit and Financial Services”

Event Report on “Brexit and Financial Services” 12 April 2018 By Sose Mayilyan and Annelieke Mooij, PhD Students, Dublin City University On 12 April 2018 the DCU Brexit Institute organized an event on Brexit and Financial Services, that featured an opening keynote address by Joaquin Almunia, former European Commissioner, an expert panel discussion, and a closing keynote address by Ed Sibley, Deputy…
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Brexit, Open Banking and the FinTech Revolution

Upcoming Event: Brexit and Financial Services, 12 April 2018. Brexit, Open Banking and the FinTech Revolution Mark Cummins (DCU Business School) Before the UK referendum vote on the 23rd June 2016 and the subsequent uncertainty that has prevailed over Brexit, the European Union had already set in train what is to be a seismic shift in…
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Brexit, the OECD and Financial Markets

Upcoming Event: Brexit and Financial Services, 12 April 2018. Ticking Clocks and Financial Markets: Brexit and the OECD’s 2017 Economic Forecast Michael Breen (Dublin City University) Elliott Doak (Kroll Rating Agency) The EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier warns that the clock is ticking. Soon we will learn more about the UK’s future relationship with the…
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Public Procurement and Brexit: The Risk to Ireland

Public procurement refers to the purchase of goods, works and services by the public sector (and organizations funded in the main through public monies).

In Ireland, as undoubtedly in many other countries, interest in public procurement appears to be inversely related to the fortunes of the economy. In times of economic prosperity the procurement of goods and services by public sector organizations has tended not to be a primary consideration for politicians, policy makers or industry representative groups. However, in recent years public procurement has moved center stage for both the public and private sectors of the economy. For central government, the strategic management of procurement across the public sector has assumed priority status. Expenditure by public sector organizations on a range of goods and services is coming under increasing scrutiny with a view to realizing cost savings.

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