Brexit By Zahra Benyala What is Brexit Brexit

Brexit By: Zahra Benyala

What is Brexit? ● Brexit is the term used to refer to Britain’s exit from the EU, a short version of “British exit”. ● Britain voted in a referendum to leave the EU. ● Leaving the EU will result in major consequences for neighbouring countries such as Ireland.

What is the European Union? ● ● The European Union - also known as the EU - is an economic and political partnership involving 28 European countries. It began after WW 2 to foster economic cooperation, with the idea that countries which trade together were more likely to avoid going to war with each other. It has since grown to become a "single market" allowing goods and people to move around, basically as if the member states were one country. It has its own currency, the euro, which is used by 19 of the member countries, its own parliament and it now sets rules in a wide range of areas - including on the environment, transport and consumer rights.

How was Brexit decided? Britain voted in a referendum on the 23 rd of June 2016, to decide on whether to stay or leave the EU. Brexit won by 51. 9% to 48. 1%. Following the referendum Britain started the process of leaving from the 29 th of March 2017. Britain is scheduled to officially leave the EU on the 29 th of March 2019.

Argument for Brexit: ❖ Leaving the EU will result in immediate cost saving, as Britain would no longer have to pay the membership fee which is close to £ 200 billion. ❖ After Brexit sovereignty was a simple win, as EU membership involves giving up some control over domestic affairs. ❖ Under EU law Britain can’t prevent anyone from another member state from coming to live in UK. As a result there has been an increase in immigration into Britain. After Brexit immigration should be dramatically cut and Britain should “regain control” of their borders. ❖ Exiting the EU will allow Britain to independently be able to pursue trade deals with China, India and the USA. ❖ Former work and pension secretary Iain Duncan Smith, who was in favour of Brexit, said that Britain was leaving the “door open” to terrorist attacks by remaining in the EU. “This open border doesn't allow us to check and control people” he said.

Argument against Brexit: ❖ The EU is a single market in which no tariffs are imposed on imports and exports between member states. Over half of Britain’s trade goes to the EU, bringing the country around £ 400 billion a year. ❖ Britain could lose the freedom to travel, study, live and work in the other 27 EU countries because of the imposed borders. ❖ In all sorts of ways the EU makes life better – from lower credit card fees to cheaper roaming charges when you call family on holiday, to compensation for flight delays. ❖ The EU’s environmental protection is the highest in the world. ❖ Britain is stronger working with France, Germany and the others within the EU on diplomacy, development and building democracy around the world.

Are you for or against Brexit?

How will Brexit affect Ireland? Hard Brexit: ➢ If a hard border between the republic of ireland northern ireland (part of UK) returns, customs officials or border inspectors would be so unacceptable to people who travel freely across an open border that it would lead to anger and violence. ➢ A hard Brexit means dramatically changing Britain's trading relationship with Europe. ➢ Many Irish companies already have operations in Northern Ireland, using this as a base to move into the UK market. However, it is possible that Northern Ireland may face a recession with less money coming from Westminster, no EU funds and potential job losses. ➢ It could be a gain for Ireland, as many business companies that are based in Britain are predicted to relocate to Ireland. Soft Brexit: ➢ The UK will still be part of the EU’s single market and customs union , which means that Irish businesses and people will still be able to move freely. ➢ Irish imports and exports would be able to come in without any tariffs.

What Brexit I think we’ll get a mixture of hard and soft brexit. I think we will stay in close connections with the UK as a result of the withdrawal agreement. The issue of the Northern Ireland border will be avoided at all costs as Taoiseach Leo Varadkar really hammered home his firm opinion about not wanting any kind of economic border with the UK once they have finally carried out their Brexit plans. As reported by The Irish Times, Varadkar stated: "As far as this Government is concerned there shouldn’t be an economic border. We don’t want one. " Theresa May also assured us that there will definitely be no hard border.

Britain's withdrawal agreement with Ireland: ❖ The withdrawal agreement is the agreement being negotiated between the EU and the UK on the terms of the UK's withdrawal. ❖ Some of the main topics being negotiated are border controls, budgets and customs union. ❖ The UK’s Prime Minister Theresa May is currently meeting with the EU in Brussels to negotiate the UK’s future relationship with the EU. ❖ Theresa May is undergoing a series of meetings with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to settle the issue of the Northern Ireland border and the tariff expense on Irish business.

My opinion on this topic I think that we should all be aware of the changes being made to our economy, even though we aren't the country that's going to leave there are going to be some significant changes in regards to our businesses that are based in the UK. And I think that Brexit could be a possible gain for Ireland as many businesses based in the UK are predicted to relocate to Ireland.

Thank you for listening!!!

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