A change of mindset is needed among Irish civil servants to be less pro-European during Brexit negotiations to deliver the best possible outcome for Ireland, according to economist David McWilliams.

Speaking at an annual grain trade conference in Maynooth on Thursday, McWilliams said that the negotiating position of the remaining EU member states is not always in Ireland’s interest and that the ideal outcome for Ireland was for the UK to achieve the best possible deal from Brexit.

“We have a golden opportunity to give the Brits a hand. It’s not against our European credentials, but it’s just putting our own interests first,” he said at the event organised by R&H Hall, Barnett-Hall and Precision Liquids.

“The problem with Irish civil servants is their links to Europe. Our elite can be so pro-European it's almost zombie-like. Its group think that anything that comes from Brussels is better than anything that comes from Dublin,” McWilliams said.

During his address, the Dublin-based economist argued that Ireland needs to be firm with its own interest during Brexit negotiations, particularly surrounding agriculture and trade.

“The best thing about the EU is that you can’t be kicked out and you don’t have to agree to something you don’t want,” McWilliams said. “We have 12 months to do something major,” he added.

Full coverage: Brexit

Ireland needs less pro-European stance in Brexit talks

Economist David McWilliams was a speaker at the annual R&H Hall, Barnett-Hall and Precision Liquids conference in Maynooth on Thursday.