Ireland, the Economy, Europe and Brexit

At the time of its accession to the European Community in 1973, Ireland was a predominantly rural and relatively poor country, dependent on the export of unprocessed agricultural produce to the British market. Over the following decades, however, Ireland embraced globalization to become one of the world’s most open, knowledge-based economies. Today it is one of the wealthiest countries in the European Union (EU) and education has played a key role in this success.

Michael Noonan became Finance Minister in 2011- a crisis point in this history, when the Irish economy was badly affected by the global financial crisis. He is credited with steering through necessary austerity and restructuring while retaining widespread public support at home - a 'hugely popular Minister despite having delivered three austerity budgets”, in the words of the Irish Times. Today, Ireland is again moving forward, with GDP growth of 4.0% in Q4, 2016 and an overall growth forecast of 3.5% for 2017. The Irish economic story has wide international relevance today. In 2013 Michael Noonan was hailed by the Banker Magazine as 'Europe’s best Finance Minister'; he has also been called “the face of the Irish economic recovery” by the Financial Times.

Minister Noonan's lecture will also focus on regionalism more broadly. Brexit presents Ireland with a complex set of challenges and will impact the country more than any other EU member state. He will explain that Ireland remains committed to the EU supporting an open, competitive economy and as the essential structure for addressing shared problems including threats to international peace and security, and the climate change. Minister Noonan will address these under the headings of trade and the economy, protecting the Northern Ireland peace process including as regards the border between the Republic and Northern Ireland (which will become the EU’s external border), the Common Travel Area between Ireland and the UK, and the future of the European Union.

About Minister Noonan

Minister Noonan was re-elected to Dáil Éireann (Irish Parliament) in 2011 and was appointed Minister for Finance on 9 March 2011. First elected to the Dáil in 1981, Minister Noonan was Leader of Fine Gael from February 2001 until May 2002. He was appointed Fine Gael Finance Spokesperson in July 2010. He was re-elected to the Dáil Éireann in May 2002 and was on the Fine Gael Front Bench from 2004 until 2007. During this time Minister Noonan was also the party's spokesperson on Northern Ireland. Minister Noonan was the Fine Gael front bench spokesperson on Finance from 1997 to 2001 and was Minister for Health between 1994 and 1997.

He held two different ministerial posts between 1986 and 1987, that of Minister for Industry, Commerce and Trade and Minister for Energy respectively. During Fine Gael's previous term in government Minister Noonan was Minister for Justice 1982-1986.

Tentative Programme

About Eminent Persons Lecture Series (EPELS)

The Eminent Persons Lecture Series (EPELS) at the Asia-Europe Institute (AEI), University of Malaya is a selection of lectures open to the public where ambassadors, dignitaries, and notable scholars impart their expertise and experience in order to increase public knowledge. The first EPELS that was organized by AEI was delivered by YBhg. Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad in 2009. Since then, AEI has successfully hosted renowned persons such as the Hon. Rudd F. M. Lubbers, YBhg. Dato Sri Syed Hamid Albar and H.E Dr. Surin Pitsuwan.