Daithí Ó Ceallaigh and John Peet 'Britain’s relations with its neighbours and the EU'

'Britain’s relations with its neighbours and the EU: what has changed and what can change?'

Britain’s Labour Party came to power in early July. It was the UK’s first change of government since Brexit and since the upheaval Britain’s departure from the EU caused in relations with its European neighbours. In the coming edition of IIEA Insights, Daithí Ó Ceallaigh and John Peet will assess how Ireland-UK relations have changed and whether Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit position in the EU single market for goods is permanently settled. Britain’s other bilateral relationships with European countries and prospects for closer cooperation with the EU will also be examined.


Daithí Ó Ceallaigh is a former Irish diplomat and chair of the IIEA’s UK group. Among other rolls during his career he served as Ireland’s ambassador to Finland and the UN in Geneva. He was also deeply involved in Ireland-UK relations, culminating in his appointment as ambassador to the UK in 2001. After his retirement from the Department of Foreign Affairs in 2009, he led the IIEA as Director General.

John Peet is The Economist‘s political and Brexit editor. Over his decades-long career at the paper, he has held a range of senior positions, including Europe editor and business affairs editor. He also spent time in Brussels and Washington DC as the paper’s correspondent. Before joining The Economist John was a civil servant.