Just the Chats

This episode of Just the Chats sees European Movement Ireland Deputy CEO and Head of Policy Lorna Hayes joined by Dr Kathryn Simpson, Associate Professor of Politics and Economics of the EU and Director of Research at Keele University, for a discussion on public attitudes towards the European Union across the island of Ireland and the UK. Drawing on insights from European Movement Ireland’s Island...

This Just the Chats host and European Movement Ireland CEO David Geary is joined by inventor, researcher and environmental advocate Fionn Ferreira to discuss the growing challenge of microplastic pollution in Ireland, Europe and beyond. In the wake of World Ocean Day and against the backdrop of evolving EU environmental legislation, the conversation explores the impact of microplastics on waterway...

This Just the Chats European Movement Ireland’s Acting Co-CEO and Head of Policy Lorna Hayes is joined by Dr James Carr, Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Limerick, and Pierre Yimbog, Co-founder and COO of Black and Irish, to discuss racism in Ireland and across Europe. In light of the European Commission’s new Anti-Racism Strategy for 2026–2030, the conversation explores the r...

This week on Just the Chats , European Movement Ireland's outgoing CEO Noelle O’Connell is joined by Séamus Boland, President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), to discuss the evolving role of civil society in Europe. Drawing on his lifelong involvement in Irish and European civil society, Séamus reflects on how Ireland’s early experience of EU membership shaped rural commun...

This special edition of Just the Chats sees Minister for International Development and the Diaspora Neale Richmond host a wide-ranging and reflective conversation with outgoing European Movement Ireland CEO Noelle O’Connell, marking her final podcast after fifteen years at the helm of the organisation. Together they look back on Noelle’s leadership through some of the most turbulent and transforma...

This week, European Movement Ireland CEO Noelle O Connell is joined by Paul Johnston, former British Ambassador to Ireland, for an insightful conversation on British–Irish relations in a changing Europe. Reflecting on his time in Dublin, Ambassador Johnston shares his perspectives on diplomacy, the evolving EU–UK relationship since Brexit, and the enduring importance of cooperation between the two...

This week, European Movement Ireland CEO Noelle O Connell is joined by General Seán Clancy, Chair of the European Union Military Committee, for a timely conversation on Ireland’s role in European security and defence. As the first Irish person to hold this senior EU post, General Clancy reflects on his journey from Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces to Brussels, and what his appointment means fo...

This week, Policy and Research Manager Gillian Kennedy is joined by Dr. Lucy Michael, a sociologist and expert in human rights, and Dr. Shadi Karazi, a researcher focused on refugee integration, for a deep dive into Ireland’s international protection system and the lived realities of Syrian refugees. From the legal obligations under EU and international law, to the evolving challenges in Ireland’s...

This week, Head of Communications Aisling Brady is joined by Dr. Alessandra Sala, a global leader in Artificial Intelligence and President of Women in AI, for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of AI in Europe. From the ethical frontiers of AI regulation and the role of multilateralism, to the challenges facing women and minorities in STEM, Dr. Sala brings a sharp, science-based perspective...

This week, CEO Noelle O Connell is joined by the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, Michael O' Flaherty, the first Irish person to hold this vital role.  From defending civic space and media freedom to addressing racism, AI, and migration policy, Michael O’Flaherty brings urgent insight into the challenges and hope for the human rights landscape in Europe today.  Music cre...

This week sadly marked the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, European Movement Ireland's Just the Chats  podcast spoke to Professor Donnacha Ó Beacháin, School of Law and Government, DCU and Diana Ishchenko, Creative Director, Internews Ukraine a pro-EU NGO based in Kyiv. Hosted by CEO Noelle O Connell, they discussed the devastating war, the reality of life in Ukraine toda...

Listen back to European Movement Ireland's webinar exploring the Disinformation Frontline.  As part of our wider disinformation programme, this discussion shares best practices on responding to mis/disinformation online and how local communities respond to disinformation in offline spaces. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Gillian Kennedy,  Policy and Research Manager, European Movement Ireland,...

In this episode, we were joined by former Tánaiste and EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Eamon Gilmore. We discussed the EU's role in international human rights, his role as the EU Special Envoy for the Peace Process in Colombia, and rule of law in the EU, US and globally. Music credit:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ailbhe Crowley⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Recorded: 13 November 2024 [DISCLAIMER: European Movement Ireland (EM Ir...

This episode of Just the Chats is a recording of an in-person event held by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung UK & Ireland and European Movement Ireland on the theme of ‘Policy Priorities for Ireland and Germany for the New EU Mandate’. Welcome Address: Dr. Canan Atilgan, Director Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, UK & Ireland Panel Speakers: Colm Brophy TD, Chairperson, Oireachtas Committee on Europea...

In this episode of Just the Chats, we were joined by President Herman Van Rompuy; current President of the Administrative Council of the College of Europe, Honorary President of the European Policy Centre, former Prime Minister of Belgium, and the first ever President of the European Council. President Van Rompuy joined us to discuss his career, his experience at the Council during the eurozone cr...

In this episode of Just the Chats, we were joined by Art O’Leary, Chief Executive of the Electoral Commission. Art joined us to chat about the role of the Commission, the upcoming European Elections and future plans to make voting in Ireland more accessible. Music credit:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ailbhe Crowley⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Recorded: 9 May 2024 [DISCLAIMER: European Movement Ireland (EM Ireland). The views, information or o...

In this episode of Just the Chats, we are joined by Federica Mogherini who is the Rector of the College of Europe, as well as the Former High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy and Former Vice President of the European Commission. Federica joined us to chat about the College of Europe’s new campus in Albania, EU diplomacy in the current geopolitical climate, and how...

In this episode of Just the Chats, we are joined by Dr. Anna Lührmann, Germany’s Minister of State for Europe and Climate. She was just 19 years old when she was first elected to the Bundestag (German Parliament) in 2002. She was the youngest-ever member of the Bundestag, as well as the youngest member of any parliament in the world, at the time. Since 2021, Dr Lührmann has represented the Rheinga...

In this episode of European Movement Ireland’s Just the Chats, we were joined by scientist and Irish Astronaut candidate, Dr Norah Patten.  Norah is an aeronautical engineer, as well as a Bioastronautics Researcher. She participated in the International Space University Space Studies Program in 2010 and joined the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences as a citizen scientist in 2017. N...

In this episode of European Movement Ireland's Just the Chats, we were joined by Niamh Hodnett, Ireland's Online Safety Commissioner. Niamh was appointed Online Safety Commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán, Ireland's broadcasting and online media regulator, in February 2023. Niamh joined us to discuss the role of Coimisiún na Meán, the EU's Digital Services Act, and the challenges in f...

This episode of European Movement Ireland's Just the Chats is a recording of an online event hosted with the Maples Group and Ireland's Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath TD, discussing the EU Minimum Tax Directive. On 15 December 2022, the EU Member States unanimously adopted the EU Minimum Tax Directive to ensure a global minimum level of taxation for multinational enterprise (MNE) gr...

In this episode of European Movement Ireland's Just the Chats, we were joined by Laura Burke, the Director General of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Laura has been the EPA’s Director General since 2011 and her role is to lead and strategically manage the organisation. The EPA has played a central role in protecting the environment for the people of Ireland for just over three decad...

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, we hosted a live recording between Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Dr Theresa Reidy, reflecting on 50 years of Ireland’s EU membership. Speaking at the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin where the live recording was hosted, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar...

As we mark 25 years since the Good Friday Agreement and with developments this year regarding the Windsor Framework, our CEO Noelle O Connell sat down with the British Ambassador to Ireland, Paul Johnston, for our latest podcast. In this episode, Ambassador Johnston gives his thoughts on the role of the Good Friday Agreement in Irish-British relations since 1998, the value of the Windsor Framework...

This speech from Favour Ochonma was the winning entry of the 2023 MyEU50 Third Level competition. 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 schools, Post-Primary schools, and...