All Ireland accountancy body backs stay vote

Chartered Accountants Ireland represents more than 4,000 Chartered Accountants in Northern Ireland and almost 2,000 based in Great Britain.

Revealing that in a poll 82% of members in the province were for a stay vote.

In GB the figure rose to 86% while 97% in the Irish Republic and rest of the EU want the UK to remain in the EU.

Addressing the AGM in Dublin, new president Liam Lynch expressed Council’s strong support for the UK voting to remain part of the European Union.

“Chartered Accountants Ireland has been an all-island body since it was founded in 1888. It is equally a Republic of Ireland body as it is a UK body, with regulatory functions in both jurisdictions.

“This gives us a unique perspective on the current debate.

“The prevailing message from our members is one of the negative impact of uncertainty on business. The messages we are receiving is that this is already having an impact on business decisions at a micro and macro level across these islands in the run-up to the referendum. The view is that this would only intensify during a two year long negotiation process in the event of a vote to leave on 23 June.”