In this keynote, Mairead McGuinness — EU Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief, and former European Commissioner and MEP — reflects on the Brexit process from the inside: as a policymaker, a politician, and an Irish citizen. Ten years on, she looks back at the decisions, the drama, and the lasting fallout for Ireland, Northern Ireland, and the European Union.

The DCU Brexit Institute Annual Lecture and Centre for Cross Border Cooperation Inaugural Annual Lecture, hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Opening remarks: Neale Richmond TD, Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora

Introductory remarks: Dr. Anthony Soares, Director, Centre for Cross Border Cooperation & Prof. Federico Fabbrini, Founding Director of the DCU Brexit Institute and Dublin European Law Institute

Q&A: Prof. John Doyle, Vice President for Research, Dublin City University

Closing remarks: Prof. Daire Keogh, President of Dublin City University

Recorded live at Iveagh House, Dublin | 15 June 2026 | Jean Monnet Network PROSPER Lecture Series