Just the Chats

This podcast by Molly O'Boy and Ciara Murray was the runner-up entry in the 2023 MyEU50 Competition for Third Level students. MyEU50 is an initiative of the Government of Ireland, led by the Department of Foreign Affairs and managed by European Movement Ireland to mark the 50th anniversary of Ireland’s EU membership with competitions across all three levels of education in Ireland, Primary sch...

On 1 January 1973, Ireland officially became a member of the European Economic Community (now the European Union). To mark this momentous moment in Irish history, alongside the European Commission Representation in Ireland, we hosted a live recording between European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness and Professor Brigid Laffan, reflecting on 50 years of Ireland's EU membership. Mairead McGuinne...

In 1972, Ireland voted 'Yes to Europe'. During that referendum campaign, Neville Keery played a pivotal role. For our first podcast of 2023, European Movement Ireland's Noelle O Connell and Ryan Levis were delighted to sit down with Neville to discuss his career and to reflect on 50 years of EU membership in Ireland.   Neville Keery’s personal papers are with the Boole Library of University C...

On 1 January 1973, Ireland officially became a member of the European Economic Community (now the European Union). As we approach the 50th anniversary of this momentous moment in Irish history, Mary Lou McDonald TD, Leader of Sinn Féin, speaks with Professor Brigid Laffan in front of a live audience to reflect on 50 years of EU membership in Ireland. This episode is a part of a wider podcast serie...

In our latest episode of our podcast series Just the Chats, the Data Protection Commissioner for Ireland, Helen Dixon, chats with European Movement Ireland CEO, Noelle O Connell. Throughout the discussion, Helen explains her work as Data Protection Commissioner, the strong European dimension to her role, and her personal reflections on Ireland's time being in the European Union since 1973. Helen a...

In the latest episode of our Just the Chats series, our CEO, Noelle O Connell, sits down with the Chief Executive of EirGrid, Mark Foley. Throughout this conversation, Mark explains EirGrid’s remit and objectives, how EirGrid operates at an EU level, what the connection is between Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the current challenges facing Ireland’s energy market, and the current emergency ener...

On the 10 May 1972, the people of Ireland emphatically voted yes in a referendum to join the EEC. In this second episode of the Ireland EU50 podcast series, Brigid Laffan, Emeritus Professor at the European University Institute, hosts Fiach Mac Conghail, CEO of the Digital Hub Development Agency, and Kevin Whelan, Director of the Notre Dame Dublin Global Gateway, to discuss Ireland'...

The webinar discussed various ways of pursuing a potential pathway into an EU career. Speakers provided information on everything from traineeships, contract positions and how to become a permanent official. Speakers included: Luís Loureiro de Amorim, Head of Outreach and External Relations at EU Careers, EPSO Caoimhe McCarthy, Projects Coordinator, European Movement Ireland Cian Duff, EU Career S...

On this day 50 years ago, 10 May 1972, the people of Ireland emphatically voted yes in a referendum to join the EEC. In this first episode of the Ireland EU50 podcast series, European Movement Ireland hosted a live discussion with An Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD, and Brigid Laffan, Emeritus Professor at the European University Institute. The series will celebrate 50 years of Ire...

As we celebrate 50 years since Ireland voted to join the European Communities, we were delighted to be joined by Erwan Fouéré for our latest episode of Just the Chats. Erwan spoke candidly about his experiences of the 1972 EEC Referendum in Ireland, as well as what it was like to be one of Ireland's first staigiaires.   During the conversation, Erwan told us all about his 38 year career with...

Clár speisialta é seo de Just the Chats mar cheiliúradh ar Sheachtain na Gaeilge 2022! Shuigh ár gCeanasaí Cumarsáide agus Oideachais, Lisa Nic an Bhreithimh síos le painéal aíonna, atá ag obair leis na hInstitiúidí Eorpacha leis an nGaeilge, i mbun cainte faoin Aontas Eorpach agus an Ghaeilge – ón deireadh a tháinig le maolú na Gaeilge san AE mí Eanáir 2022, go dtí an Chomhdháil ar Thodhchaí na h...

In this podcast we sat down with Ivailo Kalfin, Executive Director of Dublin-based EU agency, Eurofound, for a conversation about Eurofound’s work and research in 2021, the impacts of Covid-19 on Ireland and Europe more broadly, the Conference on the Future of Europe and much more.

In this podcast we sat down with Rector of the College of Europe, former High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini, for a conversation about the College of Europe, the increasing interest of Irish students in postgraduate studies at the College, EU security, defence and foreign policy, women in leadership...

In the latest episode of Just the Chats we sit down with Chief of Staff of Ireland's Defence Forces, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett, for a discussion on the key role played by the Defence Forces during the Covid-19 pandemic; Ireland, the EU and security and defence; multilateralism; diversity and inclusion in the Defence Forces and more. 

In this episode of Just the Chats we sit down with European Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services and the Capital Markets Unions, Mairead McGuinness for a discussion on her role as Commissioner to date, taking on the role as she did during the Covid-19 pandemic; her portfolio, financial sustainability and Brexit; her various roles to date in the European Parliament and Commissio...

For over six decades the Eurovision Song Contest has brought people across Europe together through what has been identified as the longest-running annual international televised music competition in the world, with over 40 countries now taking part regularly. However, while Eurovision aims to be politically neutral, it has often found itself at the centre of various debates and controversies aroun...

Eamon Gilmore has been the EU Special Representative for Human Rights since March 2019 and was recently re-appointed for a second two-year term. The tasks of the Special Representative for Human Rights are to enhance the effectiveness and visibility of EU human rights policy. He is the former Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. He has also served as the EU Special Envoy for the Pe...

For the past 12 months, the European Movement Ireland team have been working remotely, having to adapt to the various challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this special episode of 'Just the Chats', our team reflects on their final days in the office in March 2020, and changes for the organisation in its digital outputs, communications and policy publications throughout the year. Noelle O C...

Clár speisialta é seo de Just the Chats mar cheiliúradh ar Sheachtain na Gaeilge 2021 . Shuigh ár gCeanasaí Cumarsáide agus Oideachais, Lisa Nic an Bhreithimh síos le painéal aíonna, atá nó a bhíodh ag obair leis na hInstitiúidí, i mbun cainte faoin Aontas Eorpach agus an Ghaeilge – stair agus todhchaí na Gaeilge san Eoraip, deiseanna fostaíochta do dhaoine le Gaeilge sna hInstitiúidí agus a saolt...

Listen to a recent EMI Online Event between ESB CEO, Pat O'Doherty and EM Ireland CEO, Noelle O Connell. This event looked at the electric future for Ireland and Europe including electricity’s innovative role in facilitating a green recovery and meeting the climate commitments of the EU’s Green Deal. Pat O’Doherty is the CEO of ESB, Ireland’s leading energy company which has operations spanning el...

In this special episode of Just the Chats for the 67th anniversary of the founding of the Irish Council of the European Movement, which later become European Movement Ireland, we sit down with one of our distinguished founding members, Denis Corboy. Denis shares an account of the early days of the organisation, how it played a key role in Ireland’s Referendum on EEC Membership in 1972 and the poli...

In this special EU Jobs episode of Just the Chats, our CEO Noelle O Connell sits down with Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne TD, our own Graduate Jobs Programme manager, Ciarán Murray and two young Irish professionals working in the EU Institutions - Sophie McNamara, a language assistant with the European Commission, and Christopher Finn, a language editor on the Irish team of t...

With Brexit negotiations reaching the endgame, Noelle O Connell sits down with newly appointed UK Ambassador to Ireland, Paul Johnston for an in-depth discussion on Brexit, his thoughts on the future of UK relations with Ireland, Europe and the US, his career as a diplomat to date and hopes and goals for his tenure as ambassador of the UK to Ireland.

In this episode of Just the Chats we take a look behind the curtain of Germany’s past and present in a frank and insightful conversation with the current German Ambassador to Ireland, H.E. Deike Potzel. Our discussion explores 30 years of unity in Germany, lessons learned and recent commemorations of reunification; Germany’s current role as holder of the rotating Presidency of the Council of the E...

In this EM Ireland Brussels Branch special episode of Just the Chats, we sit down with Naomi O’Leary, Europe Correspondent of the Irish Times, and David Garrahy, Chair of the EM Ireland Brussels Branch for their insights and analysis from Brussels. We delve into how Ireland is seen in Brussels and across the EU, the role that languages and multilingualism play in EU relations and how Ireland’s app...