IIEA Talks

After almost two-decades of floundering negotiations, talks on an EU-India Free Trade Agreement have begun to gather momentum. Both sides seek alliances that cover not only trade relations but greater security cooperation and a shared technology agenda. In a signal of its strategic priorities, the College of Commissioners paid a first-of-its-kind visit to India in February 2025, where Prime Minister Modi and European Commission President von der Leyen pledged to conclude a Free Trade Agreement by the end of this year. In this IIEA panel discussion, Dr Sonali Chowdhry and Dr Amitendu Palit address the prospects of a potential EU-India Free Trade Agreement and consider what an EU-India partnership should or should not prioritise. At a time when the EU's Global Gateway Strategy has promised to create links, not dependencies, the panelists reflect on whether – in the words of President von der Leyen – EU-India ties have the potential to be one of the defining partnerships of this century. About the Speakers: Dr Sonali Chowdhry is a trade economist based at the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin) and the Kiel Institute for the World Economy. Her work examines the structure of global supply chains and distributional effects of new trade policies. Dr Chowdhry has contributed to in-depth policy reports on mega-regional free trade agreements to the European Parliament. Previously, she was a Max Weber Fellow at the European University Institute and earned her PhD in Economics from LMU Munich as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow. Dr Chowdhry holds an MPhil in Economics from the University of Oxford, as a Rhodes Scholar from India. Dr Amitendu Palit is Senior Research Fellow and Research Lead (Trade and Economics) at the Institute of South Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore. He specialises in economic security, international trade and investment policies, FTAs, supply chains, regional connectivity, and the Indian economy. He is a Senior Associate Fellow with the ISPI Milan and an Adjunct Faculty with the Centre for WTO Studies, India. He has also been a Member of the World Economic Forum's Global Future Council on Trade and Investment. Dr Palit has edited and authored several books. He writes for various global publications and features as an expert on CNBC, CNA, BBC, NDTV and other prominent media channels.

Join the IIEA for the launch of its second Pathways Paper, where Matt O'Neill, Climate Project Lead, presents the key themes from Farm to Finance: The Processor–Farmer Nexus in Ireland's Agricultural Climate Transition. The paper explores the relationship between farmers and food processors in relation to the climate transition within Agriculture. It draws on interviews with stakeholders and sectoral data to analyse the financial and regulatory considerations, and trust-based barriers to transition within the agriculture sector. It draws upon interviews with stakeholders and sectoral data to analyse the financial and regulatory considerations to transition within the wider supply chain. Following the short presentation, a panel offers their responses and reflections to the paper's key themes. This panel includes: Ailbhe Gerrard, representing TalamhBeo and founder of Brookfield Farm Dale Crammond, Director of Meat Industry Ireland - Ibec Alan Matthews (Panel Chair), Professor Emeritus of European Agricultural Policy at Trinity College Dublin Matthew O'Neill, IIEA Climate Project Lead Tadhg Buckley, Director of Policy/Chief Economist at Irish Farmers Association Frances McDonnell, Deputy News Editor with Agriland Speaker bios: Tadhg Buckley is currently Director of Policy/Chief Economist with the Irish Farmers Association (IFA), Ireland's largest farming organisation. Prior to joining the IFA, Tadhg worked in the finance industry as Head of Agriculture with AIB Bank. Dale Crammond in January 2023 after a 22-year career in Government he took up the role as Director of Meat Industry Ireland. Previously, he spent four years in the Embassy of Ireland in Washington, D.C. (2015-2019) where he worked to increase market access opportunities for Irish food and drink exports to the United States.  Alan Matthews is Professor Emeritus of European Agricultural Policy at the University of Dublin Trinity College, Ireland, and a former President of the European Association of Agricultural Economists. Matthew O'Neill is Climate Project Lead at the IIEA, in which role he leads the Pathways: Ireland's Agricultural Future project. His research focuses on the intersection of climate policy and agricultural systems. Francess McDonnell is an award-winning journalist and producer. Currently Deputy News Editor with Agriland, she is also a former business editor and correspondent with the Sunday Times Ireland and the Irish Times and has previously worked with Sky News and BBC NI. Ailbhe Gerrard, founder of Brookfield Farm, is a farmer, beekeeper, researcher, and agricultural educator with deep interest in agriculture, creativity and regeneration.

This lecture touches on the changing global focus of development cooperation, the reform processes that have been put in place, and Ireland's perspective on the future of development. The Minister of State speaks about Ireland's role in key events this year, such as the upcoming Financing for Development Conference in Seville, the G20 Development Working Group and COP 30 to be held in Brazil in November, and highlights the Key Priorities for Ireland, focusing on gender and health, climate action, nutrition and education. About the Speaker: Neale Richmond is Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for International Development and Diaspora. He previously served as Minister of State at the Department of Finance with special responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance, and as Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with special responsibility for Business, Employment and Retail, and the Department of Social Protection.

'Will Multinational American Corporations Become Less Multinational?' The US political and economic policy-making environment has changed dramatically in 2025, with a shift against globalisation among the most potentially impactful changes being executed by the current administration. US multinational corporations are reassessing their global operations in the light of tariffs, pressure from the US government to invest more at home, invest less abroad, and reshore production and jobs from other countries. To discuss how corporate America is responding to this changed environment, IIEA Insights is joined by Mike Beary, formerly of Amazon in the US and Amazon Web Services in Ireland; Courtney Fingar, Founder of Fingar Direct Investment; Joseph Quinlan, Co-Author of AmCham's annual ‘Transatlantic Economy' report; and Anna Scally, International Tax Partner at KPMG Ireland. About the speakers: Mike Beary is currently Chair of the Governing Authority of University College Dublin. Previously, he joined Amazon in Seattle in 2012 as part of the marketplace leadership team. He subsequently served as Country Manager Ireland for Amazon Web Services and as the company's HR Director for Europe, Middle East & Africa. Courtney Fingar founder of Fingar Direct Investment after a career engaged in FDI issues. Her previous roles include Editor in Chief of both Investment Monitor and fDi Intelligence, Senior Advisor at The World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies, and Content Editor for FT Live. Joseph Quinlan is Senior Fellow with the Transatlantic Leadership Network and has a long and ongoing leadership role in the financial services industry in New York. Anna Scally is an International Tax Partner at KPMG Ireland where she is Sector Leader on the Technology, Media and Telecoms (TMT) Industries.

On 18 May 2025, Romania held a pivotal presidential runoff between George Simion, leader of the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), and Nicușor Dan, the pro-European independent and mayor of Bucharest. This election followed the annulment of the 2024 vote due to allegations of foreign interference, leading to heightened political tension and public scrutiny. Simion's first-round victory, securing approximately 41% of the vote, has raised concerns about Romania's future alignment with the EU and NATO, given his nationalist rhetoric and scepticism towards European integration. In the run-off election on 18 May, Nicușor Dan won the election and is poised to take the Romanian presidency, on a platform emphasising democratic values, anti-corruption, and continued cooperation with Western partners. This IIEA webinar explores the implications of the election outcome for Romania's domestic political landscape, foreign policy, and role within the EU. The discussion features Professor Cristian Preda and Dr. Claudia Bădulescu and was moderated by Dr. Barry Colfer. Speaker bios: Professor Cristian Preda is a professor of political science at the University of Bucharest and served as a Member of the European Parliament from 2009 to 2019. He was presidential adviser to President Emil Constantinescu (1999–2000) and President Traian Băsescu (2007–2009) and also served as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs from 2005 to 2007. Dr Claudia Bădulescu is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Institute for European Studies (IEE) and the Centre for the Study of Politics (CEVIPOL) at Université Libre de Bruxelles. She holds a PhD from the European University Institute and specialises in democracy, autocratisation, and EU neighbourhood policy.

Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, sharpening Sino-US rivalry, and doubts about US security guarantees have left Europe searching for ballast. Against this backdrop, a new German government led by Friedrich Merz promises to “restore leadership.” Dr Nicolai von Ondarza explores Berlin's concrete goals for developing EU policies, defence, and transatlantic ties, as well as its coalition-building strategies with France, Poland, the UK, and smaller member states such as Ireland. He also addresses how a resurgent AfD might constrain Germany's room for manoeuvre. Part of our #WhatsNext series, which sees experts debate, discuss and analyse what's next for public policy as political and social change sweeps the globe. Dr Nicolai von Ondarza is the Head of the EU/Europe Research Division at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) in Berlin and an Associate Fellow at Chatham House. His research focuses on Germany's role in Europe, EU politics and institutions, EU–UK relations as well as democracy in Europe. As part of his work, he has consulted the German Government, the Bundestag, the UK government, the European Parliament and the European Commission.

How Africa Eats is free to read and download from the LSE Press website via this link: https://doi.org/10.31389/lsepress.hae In his online address to the IIEA, award-winning author, Professor David Luke discusses his forthcoming publication, How Africa Eats: Trade, Food Security and Climate Risks. The book examines in detail what Africa eats and where and how it is produced. Despite holding 60% of the world's arable land area, up to one quarter of the African population experiences severe food insecurity. As editor, Professor Luke has brought together experts in trade policy, international law, and development to scrutinise how finance, investment, foreign aid, institutions, actors, and capacities have interacted with policies in preventing Africa from becoming an agricultural powerhouse. In his address, Professor Luke sets forth the urgent threats of climate change, trade barriers, and policy challenges facing the African continent in terms of food security. Professor Luke will examine the role of the EU as Africa's most important trade partner and investor and assess whether the EU's Global Gateway initiative has had – or could have – an impact on Africa's food production systems and capacities. David Luke is Professor in Practice and Strategic Director at the LSE's Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa and Extraordinary Professor at North-West University in South Africa. Specialising in African trade policy and trade negotiations, Professor Luke has decades of experience in policy advisory services, managing and catalysing research, building partnerships, and training and capacity development for private sector and government. This experience stems from an extensive career spanning a tenured appointment at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada, and assignments at the African Union, the UN Development Programme, and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) with postings in Harare, Pretoria, Geneva, and Addis Ababa. At ECA's African Trade Policy Centre, Professor Luke and his team were instrumental in the preparation of the protocols that make up the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement. His PhD in African Political Economy is from the School of Oriental and African Studies, and his MSc and BSc are from the London School of Economics and Political Science. His research and teaching interests are in the areas of trade in development; trade and inclusion; and trade and sustainability. He is also a member of the board of TradeMark Africa.

Europe's world of work is changing fast - shaped by AI, hybrid work models, new forms of work, and a renewed focus on job quality and flexibility. How can its social agenda respond to ensure competitiveness, fairness, and inclusion? This panel debate, jointly organised by the IIEA and Eurofound, also marks 50 years of Eurofound's research supporting policies for a stronger social Europe. Drawing on insights from the IIEA and the latest Eurofound findings, this panel discussion covers themes such as working conditions and job quality, telework, employment trends, AI in the workplace, and the rising cost of living and housing. Expert panellists also consider how the EU can foster competitiveness, inclusion, social convergence, and other pressing issues in this era of rapid change. About the Speakers: Barbara Gerstenberger is Head of the Working Life Unit at Eurofound. In this role, she coordinates the research teams investigating job quality in Europe based on the European Working Conditions Survey and has overall responsibility for the European Observatory of Working Life and research into industrial relations in the EU. She joined Eurofound in 2001 and has been a research manager in the European Monitoring Centre on Change and Head of Communication and Coordinator in the Directorate Products Information and Communication Unit. Previously, she worked as Senior Research Officer in the European Metalworkers' Federation in Brussels. Tadas Leončikas has been Head of the Employment Unit at Eurofound since September 2022. Prior to this, he was a Senior Research Manager in the Social Policies Unit, managing the European Quality of Life Survey and developing Eurofound's survey research. Since joining Eurofound in 2010, he has worked on various topics including survey methods, quality of life, social mobility, social inclusion, trust, and housing inadequacies. In his earlier career, he headed up the Institute for Ethnic Studies in Lithuania where he worked on studies related to the situation of ethnic minorities, migrants, and other vulnerable groups. As a researcher, he has previously collaborated with the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, the United Nations Development Programme, and the International Organisation for Migration. Massimiliano Mascherini has been Head of the Social Policies unit at Eurofound since October 2019. He joined Eurofound in 2009 as a Research Manager, designing and coordinating projects on youth employment, NEETs and their social inclusion, as well as on the labour market participation of women. In 2017, he became a Senior Research Manager in the Social Policies unit where he spearheaded new research on monitoring convergence in the EU. In addition to his work on the European Quality of Life Survey, he also leads the preparation and analysis of the COVID-19 e-surveys. Previously, he was scientific officer at the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission.

With the election of Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the formation of a new German government, expectations are mounting for revitalised German leadership at the heart of Europe. As the EU grapples with a formidable economic policy agenda, shaped by the landmark reports of Enrico Letta and Mario Draghi and influenced by shifting global dynamics under a new U.S. administration, the question arises: where does Europe go from here? In his address to the IIEA, Johannes Lindner, Co-Director of the Jacques Delors Centre at the Hertie School in Berlin,offers a unique vantage point on the evolving policy landscape from Berlin and Brussels. He discusses the EU's ability to find consensus and deliver on key economic issues, such as common industrial policy, budget reform, increased defence spending, financial integration, regulatory simplification, and transatlantic trade. About the Speaker: Johannes Lindner is Co-Director of the Jacques Delors Centre at the Hertie School in Berlin, where he leads the Centre's think tank work on economic and financial policy. He also teaches at the Hertie School and is an Honorary Professor at Aston University, Birmingham. From 2003 to 2022, he worked at the European Central Bank (ECB), including ten years as Head of the EU Institutions and Fora Division. He holds master's degrees from the London School of Economics and the University of Cologne and completed his PhD in political science at the University of Oxford.

Democracy is at the heart of the EU's and Member States' political foundations. Yet in an increasingly volatile global landscape— marked by the rise of authoritarianism, foreign interference, and disinformation— it cannot be taken for granted. The digital public sphere is particularly vulnerable to manipulation: recently, we have seen influencers being paid to promote certain political candidates and AI-generated fake news flooding social media platforms. Beyond external threats, there is a growing sense of disengagement among citizens from democratic participation. How can the EU address these challenges? One of the European Commission's priorities for 2025 is the European Democracy Shield, which is envisaged as a tool to combat digital propaganda, develop media literacy and support free and independent media and civil society. In his address to the IIEA, Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, speaks about the European Commission's plans to protect European democracy, in particular, through the European Democracy Shield.  About the Speaker: Michael McGrath assumed the role of EU Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection on 1 December 2024, as a member of the European Commission under the leadership of President Ursula von der Leyen. Commissioner McGrath has specific responsibility for upholding the rule of law, protecting democracy and fundamental rights, tackling disinformation, improving criminal justice cooperation and strengthening the rights of victims of crime. His broad portfolio also includes improving EU competitiveness through the reform of company law and civil law. He has responsibility for consumer protection policy and for ensuring compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation across the EU. Prior to his appointment, Commissioner McGrath served as Ireland's Minister for Finance from 2022 to 2024, as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform from 2020 to 2022, and was an elected member of the Irish Parliament from 2007 to 2024.

As the global security landscape grows increasingly fractured, gender-based violence continues to be both a consequence and a tactic of conflict. In this IIEA event, expert panellists explore how the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda can more effectively address conflict-related sexual violence and ensure justice and support for survivors. Drawing from a range of experiences and diverse regional perspectives, from the Sahel to Latin America, and Ukraine to Northern Ireland, this discussion examines the multiple dimensions of gender-based violence in conflict settings. The panellists also consider how women can be agents of change in peacebuilding processes and reflect on what effective prevention, accountability, and survivor-centered responses look like in practice. This panel includes: Kateryna Levchenko, Ukrainian Government Commissioner for Gender Equality Policy Mary Fitzgerald, Researcher, Policy Analyst and Consultant affiliated with the Middle East Institute in Washington DC where she specialises in Libya Aisling Swaine, Professor of Peace, Security and International Law at the Sutherland School of Law, University College Dublin. Caitriona Dowd, Assistant Professor at the School of Politics and International Relations, University College Dublin.

'Is Britain Broken?' Recent elections and opinion polls show low levels of support for both the ruling Labour Party and the opposition Conservative Party, with a widespread belief that British politics and society are not working as they should. In the next edition of IIEA Insights, David Goodhart, Finn McRedmond, and Thomas Prosser discusses the reasons for British declinism and what is needed to turn the country around. About the Speakers: David Goodhart is Head of the Demography, Immigration, and Integration Unit, and Director of the Integration Hub website at Policy Exchange. He has authored a number of books, including most recently, The Care Dilemma: Caring Enough in the Age of Sex Equality. He is a former Director of Think Tank Demos, and former Editor of Prospect magazine, which he founded in 1995. Finn McRedmond is a Commissioning Editor and Staff Writer at the New Statesman. She also writes a weekly opinion column in the Irish Times. Thomas Prosser is Professor of Political Economy at Cardiff University. He researches subjects such as European social democracy, party and trade union support bases, and European social dialogue. He is also a keen essayist and writes The Path Not Taken Substack.'  

The Digital Services Act (DSA) is a landmark European regulation which seeks to protect Europe's values and democratic principles in the online space, and to help counter the dissemination of illegal and harmful online content. The DSA entered into force in November 2022 and began to fully apply across the EU from February 2024. At this hybrid event, a panel of experts discusses the implementation of the DSA to date and assesses the ongoing debates relating to various features of the DSA. The panel also discusses the opportunities and challenges that may lie ahead for the future of DSA enforcement. This event is organised in collaboration with the Economic Regulators Network (ERN), a cross-sectoral group of economic regulators in Ireland. The panel for this event include: John Evans, the Digital Services Commissioner,  Coimisiún na Meán Dr Eileen Culloty, Deputy Director of the DCU Institute for Future Media, Democracy, and Society (FUJO); Coordinator of the Ireland Hub of the European Digital Media Observatory Professor Natali Helberger, Distinguished University Professor of Law and Digital Technology, University of Amsterdam; Member of the project team at the Digital Services Act Observatory Irene Roche Laguna, Head of Unit, Coordination and Regulatory Compliance, DG CONNECT, European Commission The ERN is composed of Coimisiún na Meán, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), the Central Bank of Ireland, the National Transport Authority (NTA), and the Commission for Aviation Regulation.

In his address to the IIEA, Dr Pascal Boniface examines how France is positioning itself within a shifting global landscape. The presentation explores France's strategic posture in relation to the evolving transatlantic relationship, its engagement in the Middle East, and its response to the war in Ukraine – assessing how France is navigating complex security challenges and global realignments in its bid to remain a prominent European and international actor. Speaker bio: Dr Pascal Boniface is the Founding Director of IRIS – the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs. He is Editor-in-Chief of La Revue internationale et stratégique and L'Année stratégique, and the author of more than 80 books on international relations, global power dynamics, French foreign policy, and sports geopolitics. Recorded on the 28th of April 2025

'War, sanctions and western disunity' As Russia's invasion of Ukraine is in its fourth year and efforts to pause the conflict have both intensified and become more complex, David O'Sullivan, the EU's Sanctions Envoy since January 2023, discusses the use of sanctions by the EU and others on Russia. Since the invasion in 2022, sixteen packages of sanctions have sought to prevent Russia from accessing dual-use and advanced technologies for the manufacturing of cutting-edge weapons, and to degrade Russia's ability to finance its war of aggression. Mr O'Sullivan discusses the evolution and efficacy of these measures and how the changed posture of the US vis-à-vis the conflict in recent months has affected EU sanctions policy. About the Speaker: David O'Sullivan spent most of his career, before formally retiring in 2019, in a series of senior roles at the European Commission, including Secretary-General of the European Commission; Chief Operating Officer of the European External Action Service; Director General for Trade; and Chief of Staff to Commission President, Romano Prodi. He also served as Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to the United States from November 2014 until February 2019, which included more than half of the first term of US president Donald Trump. Prior to taking up his role as EU Sanctions Envoy, David was Director General of the IIEA.

In her address to the IIEA, Professor Marie Jull Sørensen discusses consumer protection in the digital age. Professor Sørensen discusses some of the risks that consumers face in the digital environment and considers some of the challenges relating to digital contracts and automated decision-making. Professor Sørensen also discusses the possible role that the forthcoming European Digital Fairness Act (DFA) could potentially play in addressing online risks for consumers. About the speaker: Marie Jull Sørensen is an associate professor and Vice Dean of Research at the Department of Law at Aalborg University, Denmark. She has written several articles and book contributions in the area of consumer law. She is a reporter on the E-justice Portal and chairs the Nordic Hub of the European Law Institute (ELI) and is currently a co-reporter on the ELI's project on automated decision-making.

A keynote address by Dr Gloria de la Fuente, Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs of Chile. This event has been organised in conjunction with the Embassy of Chile, Ireland. About the Speaker: Dr Gloria de la Fuente is a Chilean Political Scientist with a Ph.D. in Social Science from the Universidad de Chile. She currently serves as Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs (since 2023). She has worked extensively on transparency and access to public information, notably as President of the Council for Transparency. She has also served as a consultant for Eurosocial and the Transparency and Access to Public Information Network (RTA), and led projects at Chile Transparente, the Chilean chapter of Transparency International. Dr. de la Fuente held senior roles at Fundación Chile 21, a Chilean think tank dedicated to promoting democratic governance, social equity, and progressive public policies, where she served as Director of Public Policy, Executive Director, and later as President. In April 2024, she received the Women Leaders of Reference award from the Women Economic Forum, recognizing her leadership in advancing gender equality and advocating for equity and inclusion.

The political landscape across the island of Ireland has been changing over the past decade. Demographic changes, Brexit, polling data, and the realignment of traditional politics in the Oireachtas all point to the need to prepare for the increasing inevitability of substantial constitutional change in the future. Dialogue around the potential for a United Ireland has become more prevalent, particularly in Northern Ireland. In his address to the IIEA, Senator Conor Murphy discusses how this now requires more structured formal planning involving the Irish Government to ensure the necessary preparations are in place for a smooth transition in the event of constitutional change. Speaker bio: Conor Murphy was appointed as Sinn Féin Leader of the Seanad in February 2025. In 1998, after serving as a Newry and Mourne councillor for eight years, he was elected to the Assembly where he chaired the Assembly Committee, was the Party Chief Whip, and also held the position of Group Leader of the Sinn Féin MLAs. In 2005, Senator Murphy became the first Irish Republican to be elected as MP for Newry and Armagh, he then retained the seat in 2010. In 2007, Conor was appointed the Minister for Regional Development, a position that he held until 2011. In 2012, as part of Sinn Féin's commitment to ending double-jobbing, he left the Assembly to concentrate on his role as an MP.

Violence against women and girls is a persistent and escalating crisis and remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations worldwide. From femicide and domestic abuse to online harassment and conflict-related sexual violence, the scale and severity of gender-based violence continues to deepen across every region. Despite international commitments to gender equality, many legal frameworks are still insufficient, impunity persists, and survivors are too often met with stigma rather than support. In her address to the IIEA, Reem Alsalem, the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, explores global trends in the fight to end such violence, highlighting both promising practices and persistent gaps. About the Speaker: Ms. Reem Alsalem was appointed United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences in July 2021 by the UN Human Rights Council. She is an independent consultant on gender issues, the rights of refugees and migrants, transitional justice, and humanitarian response. She has consulted extensively for United Nations departments, agencies, and programmes such as UN-Women, OHCHR, UNICEF, and IOM, as well as for non-governmental organisations, think tanks, and academia. Previously, she worked as an international civil servant, serving with the UNHCR in thirteen countries. During her service, she planned, implemented, and monitored programmes that served to protect persons that were survivors of gender-based violence, particularly women and girls. She was also a visiting professional with the Prosecutor's Office of the ICC from January to March 2009 and a visiting Researcher with the Feinstein International Centre of Tufts University in December 2008. She holds a Master's in International Relations from the American University in Cairo and a Masters in Human Rights Law from the University of Oxford.

The European Green Deal was launched in 2019 to make Europe the world's first climate neutral and resilient economy, and to decouple economic growth from resource use. Six years later, the ambition has become even more important for Europe, and for the world, but the global context has considerably changed. In his address to the IIEA, Director General Vandenberghe explains the relevance of the Green Deal and how it will be taken forward, in Europe and internationally, amid rapidly changing and increasingly volatile global circumstances. This event is part of the IIEA's REthink Energy series, organised in partnership with ESB. Speaker bio: Kurt Vandenberghe was appointed Director General of DG CLIMA in January 2023. From December 2019 to January 2023, he was the Green Deal and Health Advisor to President Ursula von der Leyen. Previously, he was Acting Director for Research & Innovation Outreach, Director for Policy & Programming, and Director for Climate action and resource efficiency at DG Research and Innovation. He also served in the Cabinet of Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin (1999-2004), and as Head of the Cabinet of Janez Potočnik, who was Commissioner for Research and Innovation (2004-2009) and subsequently for Environment (from 2010). Mr Vandenburghe joined the European Commission in 1996 as co-ordinator of the Commission's Intermodal Transport Task Force and of the Transport Research Programme. Before entering the Commission, Mr Vandenberghe worked as a manager at Ernst & Young Association Management, where he set up, managed and represented international trade associations. He holds a degree in French and Italian literature from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL), a degree in Public and International Affairs from the University Catholique de Louvain-la-Neuve (UCL), and a MA in International Relations from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.

Government attention to the security and resilience of subsea telecommunications cables has intensified in recent years. While largely owned and operated by private companies, a growing number of states now qualify or designate the systems as critical, if not strategic infrastructure, the security and resilience of which are vital to economic and societal well-being, national security and much else. In her address to the IIEA, Dr Camino Kavanagh discusses government efforts to protect the infrastructure in the current geopolitical context, examining how such efforts - and the different challenges that emerge - contribute to the global telecommunications systems' core resilience capacities. About the Speaker: Dr. Camino Kavanagh is a Senior Fellow with the UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) and a Visiting Senior Fellow with the Dept. of War Studies, King's College London. Her current research focuses on international security, conflict and technology as well as emerging issues relevant to critical subsea infrastructure. Camino is also Senior Digital Advisor to the UN Department of Political Affairs' Policy and Mediation Division. She served as advisor/rapporteur to the 2019-2021 and 2016-2017 UN negotiating processes on cyber/ICT and international security (UNGGE and UNOEWG). Over the past decade she has also advised and consulted with the UN Secretary-General's office, the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the European Commission, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Organization of American States, as well as with government departments and agencies on issues pertaining to national/international security, conflict and diplomacy. Prior to this, Camino spent over a decade working in conflict and post-conflict contexts, including with UN peacekeeping operations and political missions.

The Global Impact of US Economic Policies The international economic policies of the United States have shifted dramatically since the inauguration of Donald Trump as president at the end of January. Thus far, the most impactful have been a series of historically large tariff announcements on most countries in the world. Former US Treasury Economist, Brad Setser examines these policy changes and their implications for the US economy, global trade and investment flows, financial markets, and the role of the dollar as the world's reserve currency. He also discusses his work on US corporate tax strategies. Brad Setser is the Whitney Shepardson Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. Mr Setser served as a Senior Advisor to the United States Trade Representative from 2021 to 2022, where he worked on the resolution of a number of trade disputes. He had previously served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Economic Analysis in the U.S. Treasury from 2011 to 2015, and as a Director for International Economics on the staff of the National Economic Council and the National Security Council. He has published widely, including co-authoring, with Nouriel Roubini, Bailouts and Bail-ins: Responding to Financial Crises in Emerging Economies, and has contributed to publications such as Foreign Affairs, Finance and Development and Global Governance. He regularly blogs at Follow the Money.

Enhancing peace and security cooperation is a key pillar of the EU-Africa partnership, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2025. In the second address of the 2025 Development Matters lecture series, which is kindly supported by Irish Aid, Mr Johan Borgstam, EU Special Representative for the Great Lakes Region, presents his assessment of the situation in the region based on his recent visits and focus on the EU's engagement in support of peace, stability, and security in countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mr Borgstam is a Swedish diplomat with extensive national and EU experience, which includes serving as the Head of the EU Delegation to Ethiopia and ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, and Greece. He was appointed the EUSR for the Great Lakes Region on 1 September 2024. In this role, he supports the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs in implementing the EU's foreign policy objectives in the Great Lakes Region. His mission is to contribute to building a stronger, more comprehensive, and more strategic partnership with the countries in the region, maintaining close contact with key regional organisations and fora, such as the African Union and the East African Community, as well as the United Nations, the International Financial Institutions, and non-state actors when relevant. It is the second lecture of the 2025 Development Matters series, which is kindly sponsored by Irish Aid.

Europe finds itself in a new geopolitical reality. While Russia's continues its war of aggression against Ukraine and threatens to advance on Europe's Eastern Flank, the transatlantic relationship is undergoing a period of change. Since the United States signalled that Europe will need to do more for its own defence, European capitals have been attempting to recalibrate to a new reality where there is less certainty of US commitment to the security of Europe. In her remarks to the IIEA, Judy Dempsey discusses the challenges which Europe faces in this new geopolitical moment, and whether we will be able to adapt to meet this new reality. About the speaker: Judy Dempsey is a nonresident senior fellow at Carnegie Europe. She was the editor in chief of the Strategic Europe blog from 2012 to 2024. Dempsey is also the author of the book The Merkel Phenomenon. She worked for the International Herald Tribune from 2004 to 2011 as its Germany and East European Correspondent and from 2011 to September 2013 as columnist. Dempsey was the diplomatic correspondent for the Financial Times in Brussels from 2001 onward, covering NATO and European Union enlargement. Between 1990 and 2001, she served as Jerusalem bureau chief, Berlin correspondent, and Eastern European correspondent in London (1990–1992) for the Financial Times. During the 1980s, Dempsey reported on Central and Eastern Europe for the Financial Times, the Irish Times, and the Economist.

In his address to the IIEA, Mike Nesbitt, Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, explores how the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, signed on 10 April 1998, saw an all-time peak of hope for the future of the people of Northern Ireland and, by association, Northern Ireland's neighbours in the Republic of Ireland and in Great Britain. According to Mr Nesbitt, it is one thing to obsess over how that hope has waned, or who is responsible; it is another to deliver a vision to restore that hope. In his address, Mr Nesbitt will posit why he believes delivering a Prosperity Agenda has become a common cause for all of Northern Ireland's political parties, whatever their constitutional preference. Mr Nesbitt discusses how tackling health inequalities in his role as Minister for Health is part of the Prosperity Agenda, and how such health inequalities are, in fact, social inequalities, requiring a whole Executive response. Mr Nesbitt explains how he is leading with a clear target of lowering the disparities in healthy living predictions, as the most deprived areas of Belfast show a 14.2-year gap in life expectancy when compared to those in areas of least deprivation, a figure that Mr Nesbitt is determined to change. About the speaker: Mike Nesbitt is the Minister of Health in the Northern Ireland Executive. He is also the Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, the only person to be elected to the position on two occasions, in 2012 and 2024. Mr Nesbitt is a four-time Member of the Northern Ireland Legislative Assembly for Strangford constituency. Previously, he was a broadcast journalist covering Northern Ireland's Troubles and the consequent peace process. He was then appointed as a Commissioner for Victims & Survivors of the conflict before entering politics.

Full presentation Title: Constitutional Change and the Rise of Fiscal Discipline in Europe: Ripple Effects on Fundamental Social Rights In March 2025, the ReArm Europe plan brought EU fiscal discipline and rules back into the spotlight of EU policymaking. In her address to the IIEA, Dr Kotsoni explores how, following the eurozone crisis, several EU Member States adopted constitutional fiscal rules – both formally and, as she will argue, informally. In her presentation, Dr Kotsoni examines how the constitutionalisation of fiscal rules has had lasting effects beyond the eurozone crisis and reflects upon its ongoing limiting impact on fundamental social rights in Europe. About the Speaker: Dr Maria Kotsoni is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Princeton University. Her research focuses on the protection of social rights at constitutional, European, and international levels. Maria obtained her PhD from the European University Institute and is a consultant to the Council of Europe's Department of Social Rights.

Trump, Tariffs, and The Future of Transatlantic Trade The US is scheduled to announce another round of wide-ranging tariffs, including on the EU, on Wednesday, 2 April. This edition of IIEA Insights takes place the following day and assesses the measures and their likely impact on Ireland, the EU, and the transatlantic economy. Panellists also discuss the sectoral impact of the announced tariffs and what retaliatory measures the EU and others have already taken or might take in the following days and weeks. Joining the discussion are: Tom McDonnell, Co-Director of the Nevin Economic Research Institute; Allie Renison, an Associate Director at consultancy firm SEC Newgate UK; and Fabian Zuleeg, Chief Executive and Chief Economist at the European Policy Centre.

Ten years after the historic climate agreement reached at COP21 in Paris, considerable progress has been made in areas ranging from energy efficiency and renewables deployment to electric vehicles and heat pumps. However, this progress is well below that required to deliver on the goals in the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, and investment in clean energy remains uneven. As political headwinds increase, Brian Motherway considers what the past decade has taught us in terms of global engagement on climate and clean energy, and what we have learned in terms of engaging citizens and societies in the vital project of clean energy transitions. This event is part of the IIEA's REthink Energy series, organised in partnership with ESB, Ireland's state-owned electricity company. Speaker bio: Brian Motherway is Head of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Inclusive Transitions at the International Energy Agency. He oversees analytical and outreach programmes supporting energy efficiency globally. He also leads IEA's work with governments on people-centred policymaking, addressing issues such as skills, inclusion and fairness in clean energy policies. Prior to joining the IEA, Brian was Chief Executive of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.

In her address to the IIEA, Constanze Stelzenmüller explores Europe's strategic outlook as it faces mounting geopolitical challenges. As Russia's war against Ukraine persists with ongoing support from China, the United States has entered a new political chapter following its recent presidential election. Meanwhile, authoritarian powers are asserting themselves on the global stage, challenging the rules-based international order. Against this backdrop, Europe must confront difficult questions about its security, prosperity, and strategic autonomy. Dr Stelzenmüller explores what role Europe can play in shaping the future global order, and what the implications are for Ireland and the wider European Union. About the speaker: Dr. Constanze Stelzenmüller is the Director of the Center on the United States and Europe and the inaugural holder of the Fritz Stern Chair on Germany and Trans-Atlantic Relations at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC. A German citizen herself, she is an expert on German, European, and Trans-Atlantic foreign and security policy, as well as international law and human rights. From 2019-2020, Dr. Stelzenmüller held the Kissinger Chair on Foreign Policy and International Relations at the Library of Congress, and from 2014-2019 served as the inaugural Robert Bosch Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution. Prior to joining Brookings, she directed the Berlin office of the German Marshall Fund of the United States and later served as Senior Transatlantic Fellow with the organisation, heading the Transatlantic Trends Programme. Dr. Stelzenmüller's work in the think tank sphere follows a distinguished career in journalism, including the role of Defence and International Security Editor in the political section of DIE ZEIT from 1994-2005. She has contributed to a variety of publications, writes a monthly column for the Financial Times, and is a frequent commentator on American and European news outlets.

Current tectonic changes in Europe's security environment have opened the way for rethinking the EU enlargement process. Western Balkan countries are an immediate neighbour to the EU and their stability is of strategic importance. As their closest EU partner, Croatia strongly advocates for the European path of the Western Balkans countries and is committed to finding solutions to challenges in the accession processes. In this address as part of the IIEA's Future-Proofing Europe project, supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Minister Grlić Radman will tackle some of the focal challenges and questions on EU enlargement, as well as opportunities and possible ways forward. Speaker bio: Gordan Grlić Radman is the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, a post he has held since July 2019. Additionally, Minister Radman is also the President of the Danube Commission. Prior to his current position, he was Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to the Federal Republic of Germany from 2017 until 2019 and to Hungary from 2012 until 2017. He has also held a number of high-level roles within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including Head of the Central European Department and Secretary General. Minister Radman holds a PhD from the Faculty of Political Science of the University of Zagreb.

In this talk, Professor Stephen Millard discusses the outlook for the UK economy in light of the Chancellor's Spring Statement and accompanying Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecast. He compares the current NIESR view as to the outlook for GDP, inflation and the labour market with the OBR's forecast and the forecast from the Bank of England's February Monetary Policy Report. In his remarks, Professor Millard also draws out the implications for monetary and fiscal policy moving forward. About the Speaker: Professor Stephen Millard is the Interim Director of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) in the UK and is currently part of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council. Prior to joining NIESR, Stephen worked for 26 and a half years at the Bank of England. During this time, he worked in a variety of policy, research and managerial roles across the Bank's Monetary Analysis and Financial Infrastructure Directorates. He is also a Visiting Professor at the Durham University Business School and the University of Portsmouth. He holds a Ph.D. from Northwestern University.

In this webinar, Nina Jankowicz discusses the evolution of disinformation in democracies, ranging from Russian-linked disinformation campaigns in Eastern Europe to the new U.S. Government's hostile stance towards disinformation research. She discusses how the new US administration's relationship with technology companies may affect content moderation policies and practices. Ms Jankowicz also assesses the implications of readily accessible Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications for the generation of disinformation and explores how democracies can best respond to the evolving threat of disinformation.  About the speaker: Nina Jankowicz, is the co-founder and CEO of the American Sunlight Project, an advocacy group working to counter disinformation, and an internationally-recognised expert on disinformation and democratisation. She is the former Executive Director of the Disinformation Governance Board at the US Department of Homeland Security. Before this she was a Global Fellow at the Wilson Centre and she previously advised the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry on strategic communications under the auspices of a Fulbright-Clinton Public Policy Fellowship. Ms Jankowicz is one of TIME magazine's 100 Most Influential People in AI and is the author of How to Lose the Information War: Russia, Fake News, and the Future of Conflict.

Whither Ireland-US relations? The second term of Donald Trump has been eventful. After just weeks in office, the US president has alienated some of the most pro-American governments in Europe with his interventions in the war in Ukraine and his moves towards an accommodation with the aggressor in the conflict, Russia. He has also promised tariffs on goods from the European Union and strongly criticised EU laws and regulations being applied to American companies operating in the bloc. The next edition of IIEA insights will look at how this upheaval in transatlantic relations is affecting Ireland's traditionally close ties with the US and how those ties might change over the next four years with Larry Donnelly, Law lecturer and columnist with the Journal.ie; Brian Jensen, retired US diplomat and former Section Chief at the US embassy in Ireland; Niamh King, Director of the Aspen Security Forum; and Fergal O'Brien, Executive Director at Ibec.

Strengthening the full implementation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons necessitates a balanced implementation of all of its three pillars: nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, and peaceful nuclear uses. However, the current geopolitical situation has exacerbated significant challenges in all of these three pillars. In his address to the IIEA Ambassador Klement discusses efforts to address those challenges, and reflects upon regional non-proliferation crises and his experience as a negotiator in the Iran nuclear negotiations. Speaker bio: Ambassador Stephan Klement is the EU Special Envoy for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation, a position he has held since February 2024. From 2019 to 2023, Ambassador Clement served as EU Head of Delegation to the International Organisations in Vienna. Since 2016, he has served as the Special Advisor for the Iranian nuclear issues in the European External Action Service (EEAS). Mr. Klement holds a Doctoral degree in International Law from the Institute of International Law and International Relations, University of Vienna. He holds a Doctoral degree in Physics from the Institute of Experimental Physics, University of Vienna, a Masters in Law and a Masters in Theoretical Physics both from the University of Vienna, Austria.

The Poverty, Prosperity, and Planet Report 2024 is the first global, post-pandemic assessment of the World Bank's mission to end extreme poverty, boost shared prosperity in a liveable planet and take stock of its progress towards achieving these goals. It highlights the stark reality that these intertwined goals are out of reach under the current levels and patterns of economic growth.    About the speaker: Luis Felipe López-Calva is the Global Director for Poverty and Equity at the World Bank Group. He has over 30 years of professional experience working with international institutions and advising national governments. He rejoined the World Bank in 2022 from the United Nations Development Programme, where he served as UN Assistant Secretary General and Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean since 2018.  It is the inaugural lecture of the 2025 Development Matters series, which is kindly sponsored by Irish Aid.

The Minister speaks about the environmental policies and programmes being implemented to protect and improve our environment ensuring we work together to tackle the interconnected challenges facing agriculture and the environment About the Speaker: Andrew Muir MLA is Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland and Alliance Party MLA for North Down. He previously served as Alliance Party Chief Whip, Finance and Infrastructure Spokesperson and leading party efforts for Restoration and Reform of Assembly and Executive. Aged 47, prior to joining the Northern Ireland Assembly in late 2019 Andrew served for nearly a decade as Councillor including a term as Mayor of North Down 2013/14. Before becoming a MLA Andrew worked for Northern Ireland's Public Transport provider Translink as a Senior Project Manager overseeing roll out of multi-million pound Future Ticketing System Project. Andrew graduated with a degree in Peace and Conflict Studies at Ulster University in 1999. A keen runner, Andrew has completed eleven Marathons with a Personal Best of 3:07. He founded both Bangor and Crawfordsburn free weekly 5k parkruns and is a member of North Down Athletic Club.

In this event, in partnership with the European Parliament Liaison Office in Dublin, constituents have the opportunity to discuss issues of interest with Midland-North-West MEPs. This event offers an opportunity to debate matters of importance including agricultural policy, land use, climate change, housing, transport and other topics. As panellists, the MEPs offer insights into how policies at the EU level play a role in addressing these key challenges. Speakers: Maria Walsh, Group of the European People's Party in the European Parliament, Fine Gael Barry Cowen, Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament, Fianna Fáil Ciaran Mullooly, Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament, Independent Brendan Flynn (Discussant), Lecturer & Head of Politics, School of Political Science and Sociology at University of Galway Dr Orla Flynn (Moderator), President of the Atlantic Technological University.

In this webinar Ms Lucilla Sioli, Director of the EU AI Office, addresses the Institute on the enforcement of the EU's new AI Act. Ms Sioli explores the enforcement framework for the AI Act and how this legislation will be implemented in practice. Ms Sioli focuses particular attention on the role of the EU AI Office and how it can help to ensure coherent cooperation between regulators across different sectors and Member States. About the speaker: Lucilla Sioli is the Director of the AI Office in Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content, and Technology (DG CONNECT) in the European Commission. She was previously the Director for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Industry within DG CONNECT, where she was responsible for the development of AI policy, including the AI Act, and for the digitisation of industrial strategy. Ms Sioli holds a PhD in economics from the University of Southampton (UK) and one from the Catholic University of Milan (Italy) and has been a civil servant with the European Commission since 1997.

Tectonic shifts are happening in European security. With intense uncertainty over the role. of the US as a guarantor of the continent's security, Russia's war in Ukraine now in its fourth year, and the exclusion of all other countries from US-Russia talks about ending that war, defence has shot to the top of governments' agendas across the continent. This edition of IIEA Insights will discuss aspects of current and future defence policy in Ireland, other European countries, and the EU with Mark Mellett, Neils Pultz, and Jakub Janda.

In this podcast, Judge Eugene Regan engages in conversation with IIEA Researcher, Heather Burke, to discuss the role that the Court of Justice of the European Union has played in defending the rule of law in Europe through its case law and as interpreter of the EU Treaties. He explains the function and responsibilities of the Court before tracing its caselaw relating to the rule of law. Judge Regan has been Ireland's judge on the European Court of Justice since 2015. In these past ten years, the Court's has issued a number of judgments that stress the value of judicial independence; however, in this podcast, Judge Regan explains how this area is not a novel one for the Court, which has judged on matters relating to judicial independence for over two decades. Looking to the future of the EU, Judge Regan concludes by considering the challenges and opportunities facing the Court in terms of EU enlargement and in terms of AI and the administration of justice.

In his address to the IIEA, Governor Makhlouf shares insights into the nation's current economic position and the Central Bank of Ireland's priorities for 2025. His address offers perspectives on monetary policy, fiscal stability, and future economic priorities for Ireland and the euro area. About the Speaker: Gabriel Makhlouf took up his position as Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland on 1 September 2019. He chairs the Central Bank Commission, is a member of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank, a member of the European Systemic Risk Board, and is Ireland's Alternate Governor at the International Monetary Fund. Prior to joining the Central Bank, Governor Makhlouf was Secretary to the New Zealand Treasury and the Government's chief economic and financial adviser from 2011 to 2019. During his time as Secretary, he led reviews of New Zealand's three macroeconomic pillars (monetary, financial stability and fiscal policy) and the development of a new framework for the development of economic and public policy focused on intergenerational wellbeing. In addition, Governor Makhlouf was New Zealand's Alternate Governor at the World Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. He was also co-chair of the Trans-Tasman Banking Council.

In this ‘In Conversation' event, Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester and Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, discuss their new book, Head North, which sets out a vision for a more balanced and inclusive future for the UK. Drawing on their experiences in Westminster and local government, the Mayors reflect on the challenges of centralised decision-making, the impact of devolution, and the shortcomings of successive ‘levelling up' policies. With reference to their ten-point plan for reform, the discussion explores how shifting power away from Westminster could contribute to a more equitable distribution of opportunity and prosperity across the UK. Abouts the Speakers: Andy Burnham was first elected as Mayor of Greater Manchester in May 2017, re-elected for a second term in May 2021, and again for a third term in May 2024. Mr Burham's priorities for his third term include continuing to build a London-style integrated transport system, ending the housing crisis by 2038, offering a new technical education pathway as an alternative to university, and creating a new Live Well service. Before being elected Mayor of Greater Manchester, Mr Burnham was MP for Leigh from 2001. In government, he has held Ministerial positions at the Home Office, Department of Health and the Treasury. In 2008, he became Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, before returning to Health as Secretary of State in 2009. In opposition, Andy has served as Shadow Education Secretary, Shadow Health Secretary, and Shadow Home Secretary. Steve Rotheram began his political career when he was elected to serve as a councillor in 2002, representing Fazakerley ward on Liverpool City Council and held the ceremonial title of Lord Mayor of Liverpool through the city's European Capital of Culture year in 2008. In 2010, he was elected as the Member of Parliament for the Liverpool Walton constituency. While in Westminster, he led campaigns for justice for the Hillsborough families; in support of blacklisted workers; for compensation for those suffering from mesothelioma and asbestosis; and to change the law on the use of old tyres on buses and coaches. In 2017, Mr Rotheram was elected as the first ever Liverpool City Region Mayor, representing 1.6m people across the boroughs of Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and the Wirral and was subsequently re-elected in 2021. In 2024, he was elected for a third term as Mayor. Mayor Rotheram has pledged to return to council housebuilding at scale, to increase foreign direct investment (FDI) into the region, to build three new train stations, and to launch a free pilot of artificial intelligence (AI) in local schools. He has also revised the region's net zero target to 2035 – the most ambitious target for a city region in the country.

The OECD launched the Economic Survey of Ireland 2025 on Wednesday,12 February 2025. The biennial Survey provides detailed analysis of economic developments and key structural challenges, as well as making specific policy recommendations in these areas. This year's Economic Survey contains an in-depth thematic chapter entitled 'Making housing more affordable and resilient for all', in addition to exploring recent economic developments, competitiveness, and the green transition. About the Speakers: Paschal Donohoe is the Minister for Finance. He was appointed to this role on 23 January 2025. Before this, he served as Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. Minister Donohoe was elected President of the Eurogroup of finance ministers in July 2020 for a two-and-a-half-year term. He was re-elected in December 2022, beginning his second mandate in January 2023. Álvaro S. Pereira is the OECD Chief Economist and G20 Finance Deputy. He oversees the Economics Department and ensures they are at the forefront of the international political economy agenda. He identifies ways in which the OECD can promote policies to improve member and partner countries long-term economic performance. Previously, he was the Director in the OECD Policy Studies Branch and OECD Country Studies Branch. Prior to the OECD, Mr Pereira was Minister for Economy and Employment in Portugal (2011- 2013) and was also a Professor at Simon Fraser University, Canada, a Lecturer at the University of British Columbia, Canada and at the University of York, UK. Müge Adalet McGowan is a Senior Economist and Head of the Japan/Ireland desk in the Economics Department at the OECD. Since joining the OECD in 2011, she has worked at several desks (Spain, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden) and the Productivity team, where she conducted policy research on productivity, insolvency regimes, and skill mismatches. Before joining the OECD, she worked as a Lecturer in Turkey and New Zealand, and as an economist at the New Zealand Treasury. She holds a PhD in Economics from University of California, Berkeley. Dr Martina Lawless is a Research Professor at the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI). Before joining the ESRI, she received her doctorate from Trinity College Dublin and worked as a research economist at the Central Bank of Ireland. Her research has focused primarily on firm-level dynamics and decision making, covering a range of topics, such as access to finance for small and medium firms, effects of taxation, and participation in exporting. More recently, she has investigated the potential effects of Brexit and COVID-19 on firms in Ireland. Her work has been published in a number of leading international academic and policy journals. From 2017 to 2020, she was a member of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council and she spent 2023-2024 on secondment to the Strategic Economic Development section of the Department of Finance. John McCarthy is the Chief Economist in the Department of Finance, with responsibility for the provision of economic and budgetary analysis and forecasts. He is currently the vice-chair of the OECD's Economic Policy Committee and an advisor to the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council; he was previously the chair of the European Union's output gap working group and a member of the National Statistics Board. He holds a B.A. in Economics and Mathematics from Trinity College Dublin and an M.Econ.Sc from UCD. He previously worked as a senior economist in the Central Bank of Ireland. This event was co-organised with the Department of Finance and the OECD.

Ireland is home to a high-performing life sciences industry, offering outstanding opportunities for both economic development and public health. Unlike other European countries, however, Ireland does not have a holistic vision for the future of the sector. This is set to change, as the Government has promised to develop a new national life sciences strategy. Our European peers have already adopted ambitious strategies to secure the industry and harness its social benefits, coordinating policy across a range of areas from enterprise and investment to research and healthcare. This two-part event series, organised by the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA) in partnership with Johnson & Johnson, will explore these questions and more, bringing together Irish and European leaders from industry, public policy, and academia to discuss the right approach for a national life sciences strategy for Ireland. Developing a Life Sciences Vision for Ireland: Lessons from Europe on Economic Strategy is the first event in this two-part hybrid series on Developing a Life Sciences Vision for Ireland. The panel discusses how Ireland should develop its promised national strategy for the life sciences, positioning itself as a global hub for the industry. The sector is a critical pillar of our economy, covering industries from biopharmaceuticals to medical devices. The panellists will look at what other European countries are doing to embed investment, sharpen their competitive edge, and prepare for future waves of innovation. Chaired by Bryan Dobson, the panel brings together international and Irish experts to discuss how a holistic vision for the life sciences can become part of Ireland's economic strategy. Panellists: Michael Lohan, CEO IDA Ireland Diana Arsovic Nielson, CEO at the Danish Life Sciences Cluster Professor Mark Ferguson, Former Director General of SFI and current Rapporteur and Lead Author for the European Commission High Level Group for the evaluation of Horizon Europe Jenni Nordborg, Director of International Affairs at Lif and Former National Coordinator for Life Sciences, Sweden Bryan Dobson, Former RTÉ Newsreader (Moderator)

In her remarks to the IIEA, Dr Jade McGlynn explores the identity, interactions, and influence of nationalist policy critics within the Russian political landscape, particularly concerning the war in Ukraine. She discusses how nationalists' criticisms target military strategy and leadership inefficiencies and straddle a line between regime support and vocal opposition. Despite a decrease following the Wagner mutiny, such critiques have grown since September 2022. Finally, Dr McGlynn discusses how nationalist critics continue to exert a tangible, albeit constrained, influence on governmental strategies, prompting shifts in military tactics and policy but doing little to undermine regime stability. About the Speaker: Jade McGlynn is the author of Russia's War and Memory Makers, and is an academic based at King's College London. Her research focusses on Russia's war on Ukraine since 2014 through the lens of identity and propaganda. She frequently writes for the international media and is also a Senior Associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies' (CSIS) Europe Program. She splits her time between the U.K. and Kharkiv, where she co-founded Free Ukraine Fund to assist the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

As Ireland's population and economy grow, the demands on its transport infrastructure are increasing. Enhancing Ireland's ground transport connectivity will play an important role in supporting economic growth, improving quality of life, and meeting climate commitments. Ireland's National Development Plan 2030 outlines ambitious goals to upgrade Ireland's road, rail, and public transport networks while addressing the dual challenges of increasing mobility needs and reducing carbon emissions. In this panel discussion, leading experts examine how Ireland can develop transport systems that meet current needs and anticipate future demands, while aligning infrastructure investment with economic and environmental priorities. This panel has been organised in conjunction with Deloitte Ireland. Speakers on this panel include: Rachel Cahill, Director, Executive Office and Sustainability Lead at TII Stephen Prendiville, Partner, Infrastructure, Transport & Regional Government Lead at Deloitte Ireland Dr Debbie Hopkins, Associate Professor in Human Geography at the University of Oxford

The EU's Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030 sets a transformative agenda for accessibility, equality, and inclusion. In her address to the IIEA, Inmaculada Placencia Porrero, Senior Expert in Disability and Inclusion at DG Employment, Social Affairs, and Inclusion at the European Commission, explores the strategy's achievements, challenges, and alignment with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Drawing on her pivotal role in the creation of the European Accessibility Act and recent election to the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Inmaculada reflects on Europe's leadership in disability policy and its implications for innovation, cross-sector collaboration, and the advancement of these rights globally. About the Speaker: Inmaculada Placencia Porrero is a Senior Expert in Disability and Inclusion at Directorate-General (DG) Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion at the European Commission. Her unit is responsible for the coordination of European policies for persons with disabilities. She works on European disability policies including the European Disability Strategy and the EU implementation of the UNCRPD. Inmaculada has worked on research programmes addressing accessibility as well as assistive technologies and has been Deputy Head of Unit for various disability-related units in the Commission. Her work in the "e-Inclusion" unit of the DG for Information Society and Media addressed accessibility policy. While at the DG for Justice and Consumers, she contributed to disability-related antidiscrimination legislation. She was responsible for the task force for the preparation of the European Accessibility Act and remains responsible for it since the Act's adoption in 2015. Currently, under the DG for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, she leads the team working on the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030. In June 2024, she was elected as a member of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Ireland faces a unique challenge in reconciling its position as a major agricultural producer with increasingly ambitious climate targets at national and EU level. The agri-food sector contributes significantly to Ireland's economy, generating €17.3 billion in gross value added (6% of GNI*) and employing 173,400 people. However, it also accounts for 37.8% of national greenhouse gas emissions, creating a distinctive challenge. In this first event of a new IIEA project entitled Pathways: Ireland's Agricultural Future, Prof. Alan Matthews and Dr. Matthew O'Neill present for discussion the findings of their working paper, ahead of its publication in early 2025. The event was chaired by Dr Karen Keaveney, Head of Subject for Rural Development in the School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin. The IIEA is grateful to the European Climate Foundation for its support in establishing this project. About the Speaker: Prof Alan Matthews is Professor Emeritus of European Agricultural Policy at the University of Dublin Trinity College, Ireland, and a former President of the European Association of Agricultural Economists. His research interests include the behaviour of the Irish farm and food system, the EU's Common Agricultural Policy, the relationships between trade and food security, and WTO trade norms and disciplines. Dr Matthew O'Neill is Climate Project Lead at the IIEA, in which role he leads the Pathways: Ireland's Agricultural Future project. His research focuses on the intersection of climate policy and agricultural systems.

In her address to the IIEA, Lara Marlowe discusses her new book, 'How Good It Is I Have No Fear of Dying'. Her book recounts the true story of a Ukrainian female army officer, Lieutenant Yulia Mykytenko, who commands a 25-man drone attack and reconnaissance platoon on the eastern front of the Russo-Ukrainian war. Lt Mykytenko has survived artillery and aerial bombardment and human wave attacks by Russia's Wagner militia. She won the medal for courage for leading missions into the grey zone between Ukrainian and Russian lines to retrieve dead and wounded soldiers. She has lost her husband, father and dozens of comrades-in-arms to the conflict. This is war as it is being fought on the edge of Europe in the 21st century, with high-tech weapons from muddy, rat-infested trenches reminiscent of the First World War, and where you can be obliterated by a two-tonne glide bomb or pursued and blown up by a whining drone rigged with a hand grenade. About the Speaker: Lara Marlowe is a Paris-based journalist and author. Marlowe has reported on more than a dozen wars and has won four press awards. She has completed three long reporting stints in Ukraine since the full-scale invasion of 24 February 2022 and continues to write a column for The Irish Times. She has reported for a host of broadcast and print media and was a staff foreign correspondent, based in Paris and Washington, for The Irish Times from 1996 until 2023. Marlowe makes her permanent home in Paris, where she has covered five French presidencies. She became a Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur in 2006 for her contribution to Franco-Irish relations. Marlowe is the author of How Good It Is I Have No Fear of Dying: Lieutenant Yulia Mykytenko's Fight for Ukraine (Head of Zeus, UK, 2024 and Melville House, US, 2025), Love in a Time of War: My Years with Robert Fisk (Head of Zeus, 2021), Painted with Words (2011) and The Things I've See: Nine Lives of a Foreign Correspondent (2010).

This year's IIEA YPN Christmas Special reflects upon the 2024 ‘year of elections'. Larry Donnelly, Lecturer at NUI Galway, discusses the 2024 US Presidential election and what we can expect with a new Trump administration. Brigid Laffan, Professor Emeritus at EUI, discusses the European Parliament and what we can expect from a new EU Commission. Finally, Kevin Cunningham, Lecturer in Politics at TU Dublin and Founder of Ireland Thinks reflects upon the 2024 Irish General Election and its outcomes.  Speakers on this panel include: Larry Donnelly, Lecturer at University of Galway Brigid Laffan, Professor Emeritus at Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, EUI Kevin Cunningham, Lecturer in Politics at TU Dublin and Founder of Ireland Thinks

This podcast explores the importance of the rule of law as a fundamental value of the EU and its role in ensuring the future of the EU. In conversation with IIEA Researcher, Heather Burke, retired Supreme Court Judge, John MacMenamin discusses the internal and external issues facing Europe and its liberal democratic model. He emphasises that a healthy democracy relies on active participation in the democratic project, not only passive acceptance of the rule of law as an abstract principle. Offering insights into the role of the EU as a champion of the rule of law, Judge MacMenamin discusses how the EU must use tools such as the Article 7 procedure and the Rule of Law conditionality mechanism to their full potential. However, developing a sense of trust and ensuring subtlety when dealing with illiberal democracies must also be emphasised, lest the EU's actions enhance the standing of populist, nationalist leaders. Judge MacMenamin considers that we must always draw a fundamental distinction between the policies of political parties and the neutrality of the institutions of the rule of law and democracy. The former may change based on the democratic will of the people, but the latter must always be protected. The ideal of the rule of law is one that is close to the human spirit, and Judge MacMenamin concludes by reflecting on its success being a matter of connecting with people, as a bottom-up, democratic process.