Leading Brexit commentator Tony Connelly will address business leaders in Belfast this autumn as debate around the UK’s exit from the European Union intensifies.

The RTE News Europe Editor will speak to an audience at a lunch time event hosted by IoD NI.

Taking place on 21st November at Stormont Hotel, in the wake of next month’s EU Summit, the event entitled Connect and Influence: Focus on Brexit is sponsored by BDO NI and Carson McDowell.

Kirsty McManus, National Director, IoD NI said:

“For some time, all ayes have been fixed on October’s EU Summit which had stood as the target for final agreement on a withdrawal deal to be made.

“With all but the most blindly optimistic anticipating that target to be missed, an ‘extraordinary’ summit is now expected to be announced in November.

“Taking place between these two key dates, this lunch time event will provide an unrivalled opportunity to hear exclusive insights from some of the best placed experts to comment on the state of play in negotiations.

“As Europe Editor for RTE, Tony Connelly has been ever present on our television screens since the EU Referendum. With high-level access to those involved in the Brexit debate on all sides, he has gained a reputation for providing in-depth analysis of the issues involved and an ability to communicate the most complex of matters to audiences with clarity and meaning.

“We greatly look forward to hearing his candid views on all Brexit developments, as we join with our members and their guests at November’s Connect and Influence event.”

Tony Connelly has been covering EU and European affairs from Brussels since 2001. He has reported extensively on the period before and after the Brexit referendum, and before that covered the European refugee crisis, the Greek debt situation, the Irish bail-out and the financial crisis dating back to 2008.

He will be joined in a panel discussion at the event by Allie Renison, Head of Europe and Trade Policy at the IoD.