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Ireland and the Single Market

Thirty years of the European Union’s Single Market

Minister of State for European Affairs Thomas Byrne, TD welcomes French Minister of State for European Affairs, Laurence Boone

As we celebrate EU50 – fifty years of Ireland’s EU membership – we are also on the eve of another European Union milestone; thirty years of the European Union’s Single Market (1993).

A cornerstone achievement of the EU, the Single Market has brought significant benefit to Ireland and the European Union. However, work remains to be done to fully realise the opportunities the Single Market presents and this work must now be undertaken against a backdrop of significant economic, political, social and environmental challenges.

European Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services and the Capital Markets Union, Mairead McGuinness in conversation with Dearbhail McDonald

On 27 October 2022, Taoiseach, Micheál Martin TD, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Dara Calleary TD, and Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne TD, together with European Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services and the Capital Markets Union, Mairead McGuinness, joined a cross-section of stakeholders from Irish and European economic, academic and political life to discuss and debate this important topic, offering perspectives on the past, present and future of Ireland’s development as a member of the Single Market and the future of the Single Market.

Ger Gibbons, ICTU, Danny McCoy, IBEC; Dr Frances Ruane, NPCP and moderator Dearbhail McDonald

French Minister of State for European Affairs, Laurence Boone

Speeches

Speech by Taoiseach, Micheál Martin TD,

at ‘Ireland and the Single Market’ EU50 Conference, 27 October 2022

Speech by Minister of State Thomas Byrne TD,

at ‘Ireland and the Single Market’ EU50 Conference, 27 October 2022

Programme Overview

Ireland and the Single Market

Dublin, 27 October 2022

09.00am - Welcome by Taoiseach, Micheál Martin-TD

09.15am - Ireland and the Single Market – Reflections

Since its creation, 30 years ago, the Single Market has been a central feature and enabler of Ireland's economic model providing access to a marketplace of 450 million people for Irish companies, enhancing Ireland’s competitiveness as a location for foreign direct investment and providing a multilingual European talent pool to support economic growth.

A major achievement of the European Union, the Single Market has drawn the people of Europe closer together, facilitating exchange - not just of goods, services, capital and labour, but also of ideas and understanding. It has supported peace on the island of Ireland and is an important tool to promote and project Europe's values and commitment to a rules based international order.

Our speakers and panellists will discuss what has been achieved through the Single Market over the past 30 years and how this experience can inform the future.

Keynote address by:

European Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services and the Capital Markets Union, Mairead McGuinness

Panel Discussion with:

Dr Frances Ruane, Chair of National Competitiveness & Productivity Council
Owen Reidy, General Secretary, Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and
Danny McCoy, CEO, Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC)

11.15am - The Single Market today; Challenges & Opportunities

Keynote address by:

Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, Dara Calleary TD

The Single Market has evolved significantly over 30 years. Through the sovereign debt crisis, Brexit, Covid-19 and on-going geopolitical challenges, the Single Market, like all aspects of the EU, has faced very significant tests, and has shown its resilience.

Our single market is a constantly evolving project, and the list of items to be addressed continues to grow. With topics such as ‘Open Strategic Autonomy’, the proposed ‘Single Market Emergency Instrument’ (SMEI) and its potential impact on the Single Market, the regulation of crypto currencies, and the formation of an energy union, the potential to-do list remains long.

Our panel will discuss the Commission’s agenda for the Single Market, assess its achievements to date, debate priorities and consider the path ahead for major policy areas.

Panel Discussion with:

Outi Slotboom, Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG-GROW)
Martin Sandbu, European Economics Commentator Financial Times
Professor John O’Brennan, Jean Monnet Chair in European integration and Director of the Maynooth Centre for European and Eurasian Studies

12.30pm - Lunch

2.00pm - Growing business in the Single Market – Industry Perspectives

The day-to-day operation of the Single Market and the benefits it delivers are complex and not always easily understood.

Our panel of industry experts will share their experiences of operating in the Single Market, how important access to the Single Market is for indigenous Irish companies and for multinational companies operating in Ireland. They will illustrate in practical terms how they have used the structures of the market to grow their businesses and will identify the policy areas they see as being most important to drive deeper, more beneficial market integration into the future.

Keynotes by:

Leo Clancy, CEO, Enterprise Ireland
Kieran Donoghue Global Head of Strategy, Public Policy & International Financial Services, IDA Ireland
Followed by Industry Panel

3.00pm - Future evolution of the Single Market

The Single Market lies at the heart of our European project. Its value and strength has been well demonstrated in recent years, but the success of its future will be defined by how well it is leveraged to meet Europe’s – and the world’s – next big challenges.

In conversation, Irish Minister for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne TD and French Minister for European Affairs, Laurence Boone will share thoughts on the future of the EU, how the Single Market could evolve in the future, what this can achieve for Europe.

In conversation with: