As Ireland passes its centenary it is clear that the stability which has been created on an all-island basis in terms of economic, social and political arrangements shared by North and South still have the potential to change with Brexit.
Our position in a global context as well as the relationship we share with our nearest neighbour is also set to change, with the inevitable drift of businesses from the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland in particular, in to the Republic of Ireland, where they will be safe in their EU status.
The country is benefiting from an exciting opportunity that has been created through Brexit, to position Ireland within the top nations globally and cement that structure going forward in the 21st century as a leader among nations. It is well known and accepted globally that the Irish have had a large impact on the growth and positioning of many different nations through the Irish men and women who have emigrated abroad and shared their skills for the greater good. At the same time, Ireland has shown itself to be a welcome home for many people born abroad. It has been noted that the rate of emigration from Ireland is equally matched by the rate of immigration to Ireland. This shows that the country is open and operating in a global context.
”Emigration from Ireland is equally matched by the rate of immigration to Ireland. This shows that the country is open and operating in a global context”.
Contemporary regulations by our closest neighbours have caused many to feel uncertain about their positions in the country and within a wider, cross border and even global context. There is a shift happening globally with some countries cutting themselves off, while others retain their willingness and desire to operate within a cross national market.
Business is not the only aspect that the new changes are bringing – indeed, a great deal of the uncertainty that has been created by Brexit lies in the fact that people themselves are finding their status as citizens or immigrants tested. Families that had no issue living within the EU and UK previously now find that they have one spouse who does not qualify under the same rules that they used to. This shows that uncertainty within the UK is broad and encompasses all aspects of life.
This uncertainty has led to nearly half of Britain’s most highly skilled members of their work force from across the EU leaving or considering leaving the country (the Brexit exodus/Brexodus) within the next five years. Numbers have shown that over 120,000 Europeans have already left the UK since March 2017, which has left a gap in the labour market that can lead to a serious loss in national market value.
The exodus seen in the UK contrasts greatly to the demographics which Ireland has enjoyed over the past 20 years, where the growth in foreign-born population has skyrocketed from a tiny fraction to almost 20% today. This growth has taken place without any type of adverse reaction in society and shows that the Irish have always been welcoming of foreign cultures and has long understood the value that a multicultural society brings. The Irish have long felt that they were themselves a nation of emigrants, with long established links across the globe, and as such offer the same welcome that they have enjoyed elsewhere.
One particular sector that has already seen a boost since the UK triggered Article 50 has been the legal sector in Ireland, with a stunning 275% increase in UK solicitors registering with the Law Society of Ireland since the Article was enacted. There are two main reasons for this exodus by the UK legal sector into Ireland: Irish registered solicitors retain access to the European Court of Justice, EU tribunals and any other EU legal institution. Also, large international companies need to continue to comply with the framework of the GDPR which the UK will not be aligned to post Brexit. This makes it untenable for such large international firms to hire UK solicitors over Irish registered solicitors.
As a growing nation Ireland still faces building the country in terms of better transport and more housing, and we see the value in integrating foreign cultures that wish to live among us. As we welcome this national growth in size, so too do we welcome the increase in our nation’s diversity.
How Lincoln Recruitment can help
We understand the pressures faced by businesses of every type and size, and indeed professionals, when thinking of relocating to a new jurisdiction. We’re the adviser of choice for a wide range of start-ups, and established business who choose Ireland as their place of business. We also offer support and advice for professionals thinking of making the move to Ireland. For further information, please contact one of our team or visit www.lincoln.ie.
