IIEA Talks

The current trajectory of European policy towards China stands at a crucial juncture. In recent years, China has evolved from a long-term geopolitical challenge to a pivotal factor influencing the competitiveness of the European economy, the security of its citizens, and the EU's ability to fulfill its ambitious climate and digitalization goals. This shift poses a distinctive challenge for Germany...

As the frequency of natural disasters such as floods, droughts, and heatwaves increase, the impact of climate change is becoming ever more apparent. Climate change will likely continue to threaten energy systems, augmenting the need to accelerate the green transition and position global energy systems to meet the risks posed by a changed climate. In her address to the IIEA, Katherine Hayhoe, autho...

In his address to the IIEA, Hans Leijtens, Executive Director of Frontex, discusses challenges of integrating the management of the EU's borders. He discusses Frontex's work in facilitating legal migration, preventing illegal crossings and returning those who are not eligible for protection in the EU. Finally, his remarks also reflect upon the agency's work in fighting cross-border crime and count...

The Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) was forced to recently stress that the rule of law 'forms part of the very foundations of the European Union and its legal order' and is 'given concrete expression in principles containing legally binding obligations for the Member States'. The Court’s renewed emphasis on the importance of the rule of law might surprise considering that access to and continuin...

The EU Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), which was first agreed amid the COVID-19 crisis, serves as temporary instrument designed to swiftly and substantially support the economic recovery of Member States. Financed through the issuance of bonds, the RRF offers an innovative approach to EU funding, disbursing funds based on the progress in achieving reforms and investments. In his address to...

After five years from its first application, the landmark General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) continues to be the topic of extensive debate. Helen Dixon, the Data Protection Commissioner, provides a tour through recent trends in complaints, breaches, regulatory decisions and court judgements. Commissioner Dixon also discusses the future of data protection and assesses what may be in store ov...

In his address to the IIEA, Timur Gül, Chief Energy Technology Officer of the International Energy Agency (IEA), discusses the role of energy technology and innovation in the clean energy transition. Dr Gül outlines the challenges and opportunities arising from the new clean energy economy, with a focus on clean energy supply chains. About the Speaker: Timur Gül, a German national, was appointed C...

'War in Europe and the role of the United States' Fiona Hill ,Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington DC., in conversation with Dan O’Brien, IIEA Chief Economist

As many African states have experienced increased political influence on the global stage, rapid development, and sustained economic growth; many have noted that France’s position on the continent has diminished and continues to be challenged by other geo-political actors. Against this backdrop, Emmanuel Macron has recently outlined his new Africa-France Partnership to recast development, economic...

In the wake of the publication of the Enlargement Package Report by the European Commission, Peter Burke TD, Minister of State with responsibility for European Affairs and Defence, will look at the potential benefits and tests that enlargement will bring for the EU. About the Speaker: Peter Burke TD is the Minister of State with responsibility for European Affairs and Defence, a post which he has...

Following the adoption of the Enlargement Package Report by the European Commission, Lawrence Meredith, Director of Neighbourhood East and Institution Building in DG NEAR, discusses the main conclusions and the next steps, looking at the challenges and opportunities both for the enlargement countries involved and for the EU Member States. About the Speaker: Mr Meredith has been Director for Neighb...

Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, EU enlargement has regained pertinence. With eight candidate countries and two applicant countries, many have noted the need for reforms in how the EU operates before there can be a 37 Member State Union. In her address to the IIEA, Jessika Roswall, Minister for EU Affairs of Sweden, gives a timely survey of the Swedish government...

In recent years, the world has been beset by a series of interlinked challenges, including humanitarian crises, mounting global debt, and the impact of the nexus of climate change, conflict, and hunger. Simultaneously, the imperative of addressing the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires a shared sense of responsibility. In his address to the IIEA, Carsten Staur will...

In the first half of 2024, Ireland will assume the rotating chair of the D9+ (or ‘Digital Nine+) - a group of digitally advanced European states which are at the forefront of Europe’s digital economy. In this IIEA event, which is supported by Amazon, an expert panel of speakers assesses what Ireland’s presidency of the group could contribute to the D9+’s long-term development; how the D9+ can link...

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the most hyped and most important technology of the century to date. Over the past decade there has been an endless series of breathless announcements about advances in AI – and attendant fears. In his address, Professor Michael Wooldridge assesses the nature of this technology, distinguish between hype and reality, and explore the implications of AI for society. He...

Ditte Juul Jørgensen has been the European Commission’s Director-General for Energy since 2019. In the intervening years, Europe has witnessed a pandemic, a war, and a panoply of economic and social crises, but the EU has nonetheless introduced its most far-reaching measures in the field of energy. This includes the introduction of the EU’s Fit for 55 package - its plan for a green transition, the...

In her address, SDLP MP Claire Hanna reflects on the prospects of achieving reconciliation through a New Ireland. About the Speaker: Claire Hanna is an SDLP Member of Parliament for South Belfast, elected in December 2019. Claire has been representing South Belfast since 2011 as a Belfast City Councillor, then as an MLA in the NI Assembly until her election to Parliament in 2019. She chaired Assem...

In his address to the IIEA, Professor Chris Llewellyn Smith discusses the need to complement wind and solar-generated electricity with the ability to store such electricity. He argues that as many countries replace fossil fuels with electricity generated from wind and solar, the volatility of these sources of energy will require storage solutions to be developed to meet a variable demand. Finally,...

Europe is facing numerous challenges, from the changing global geo-economic conditions to the enormity of tackling the climate crisis. Trade unions have, since their inception during the industrial revolution, sought to shape policy in times of tumult to ensure that the interests of workers are secured. In her address to the IIEA, Esther Lynch, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confede...

This event is the third and final instalment in the Ireland and the EU Health Union discussion series, which is supported by Janssen Sciences Ireland. This event focuses on the role of the EU in promoting better cancer care and outcomes across the Union, through various initiatives contained within the EU’s Beating Cancer Plan. As part of the new Health Union, the EU has identified cancer as a hea...

In her address to the IIEA, renowned economist, Dr Linda Yueh, discusses her new book, The Great Crashes: Lessons from Global Meltdowns and How to Prevent Them. Dr Yueh extracts a three-step framework to help recognise the early signs of an economic crash and mitigate the effects – all with the hope of preventing the worst mistakes of the past from being repeated in the next inevitable financial c...

Europe’s landmark Digital Services Act (DSA) heralds a new era of regulation to counter online disinformation and illegal and harmful online content. Jacob Mchangama, Director of the think tank Justitia, has praised several features of the DSA but he has also warned that the DSA could give rise to wide-ranging censorship. In this event, Mr Mchangama explores the implications of the DSA for online...

Seven years after the original Brexit vote, the IIEA welcomes two leading Irish voices on the EU to a panel discussion on Prof Brigid Laffan's recent book 'The EU's Response to Brexit'. About the Speakers: Brigid Laffan is Emeritus Professor at the European University Institute in Florence and was Director at the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies until her retirement in August 2021. Previ...

In this, the second of the IIEA’s mini-series of webinars on the subject of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), Chris Calabia, Head of CBDC Programs at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Digital Currency Initiative, shares recent research on the opportunities and challenges presented by the potential introduction of a CBDC like a ‘digital dollar’. Mr Calabia addresses practical a...

'More war: explaining conflict proliferation' Barrie Robinson, former Irish diplomat, and Dr Domitilla Sagramoso, expert on Russian foreign and security policy, in conversation with Dan O’Brien, IIEA Chief Economist.