IIEA Talks

Paschal Donohoe TD, President of the Eurogroup and Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform of Ireland,participates in a fireside chat with Daire Lawler, IIEA Senior Economics Researcher and Chair of the YPN, and a question-and-answer session with members. In his capacity as President of the Eurogroup, the grouping of euro area finance ministers, Minister Donohoe discusses the challenges and opportunities for the economy of the euro area in 2024, as well as the Eurogroup’s work programme for the first half of the year which is focused on strengthening the 4 C’s: coordination; capital markets; competitiveness; and the common currency.

International tensions, proliferating security threats and talk of global conflict have become more common in recent years after decades of relative stability following the end of the Cold War. The rise of a more assertive China and intensifying cyber security threats are among two of the issues Nigel Inkster, formerly of MI6, has highlighted in his recent writings. In his presentation to the IIEA, he focuses on these matters along with the wider geopolitical climate. About the Speaker: Nigel Inkster CMG is Senior Advisor at the International Institute for Strategic Studies and a Director of Geopolitical and Intelligence Analysis at Enodo Economics. Previously, he served as Director of Operations and Intelligence for MI6 and served on the Board of MI6 for seven years. In 2017, Inkster was appointed to the Global Commission on the Stability of Cyberspace, participating in the drafting of its eight norms related to non-aggression in cyberspace. The author of The Great Decoupling: China, America and the Struggle for Technological Supremacy and China's Cyber Power, his lifelong fascination with China started when he studied the language and culture at Oxford.

'What looms for the Greater Middle East?' Great power competition is intensifying and democracy has lost its allure. Nowhere are these trends more evident than in what Robert D Kaplan calls the 'Greater Middle East'. In this IIEA Insights discussion he highlights some of the key points made in his magisterial survey of the region in 'The Loom of Time: Between Empire and Anarchy from the Mediterranean to China', his latest book published in 2023. He also discusses the future of Israel/Palestine, and that conflict’s wider implications in the post October 7 era.

In his speech, Dr David Nabarro reflects on local and national priorities regarding food systems transformation, an area where Ireland is an acknowledged leader. He also focuses on interconnected challenges such as climate action and sustainable development. Dr Nabarro presents his experience of the catalysing effect of systems thinking and adopting a people-centred approach when tackling inter-connected challenges, such as food systems transformation. He argues that such an approach must be adapted to the interests of people of the lowest incomes and with the least agency. Dr Nabarro concludes that this novel way of thinking and working together will have the greatest likelihood of long-term success. About the Speaker: Dr David Nabarro is Strategic Director of 4SD Foundation, Geneva; Professor of Global Health at Imperial College, London; and Special Envoy on COVID-19 for the Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO). Dr Nabarro has served as Senior UN System Coordinator for Avian and Pandemic Influenza (2005-2014). He was Coordinator of the UN system’s High-Level Task Force on the Food Security Crisis 2009-2014 and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Food Security and Nutrition and Coordinator of the Scale-up Nutrition Movement (2010-2014). In his early career, he served as Director for Human Development in the UK Department for International Development (DFID).

According to Admiral Rob Bauer, as the world faces unprecedented conflict, NATO is entering into a new era of collective defence. The Alliance is moving from an era in which everything was plannable, foreseeable, and predictable to an era in which anything can happen at any time, in any domain. In his address to the IIEA, Admiral Bauer argues that addressing this challenge will require a whole-of-society approach and a deep cooperation with Partners. We all need to be able to expect the unexpected, together. About the Speaker: Admiral Rob Bauer (Royal Netherlands Navy) is the 33rd Chair of the Military Committee of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). As the Military Adviser to the Secretary General and the North Atlantic Council, Admiral Bauer is NATO’s most senior military officer. Previously, Admiral Bauer has served as Chief of Defence of the Netherlands Armed Forces from 2017-2021. Admiral Bauer was Commissioned as an officer in the Royal Netherland’s Navy in 1984.

The Building Common Ground series was established by The John and Pat Hume Foundation with the aim of creating genuine and inclusive opportunities for dialogue and discussion which will enhance relationships in Northern Ireland, on the island and between Ireland and Britain. This discussion was hosted by the IIEA in Dublin, Thursday 22 February 2024 on the theme of ‘Reconciling Relations: Belfast, Dublin, London’. About the Speakers: Jarlath Kearney is a strategy advisor. Over the past decade, he has served as an independently appointed Equality Commissioner for Northern Ireland, a Parole Commissioner for Northern Ireland, a senior manager in the health service, an advisor on democratic reform projects sponsored by the European Commission and UK FCDO in the Balkans, and as a media contributor and regular columnist with The Irish News. Between 2007 and 2014, Jarlath was a ministerial policy advisor and special advisor in the Northern Ireland Executive, after which he ended any associations with party politics. Prior to that, he had spent 15 years in media, latterly as a daily political correspondent. Senator Emer Currie is the Fine Gael Seanad Spokesperson for Special Education and Inclusion & Northern Ireland. She serves on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement Committee and is the Chair of Sovereign Matters on the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly. David Graham is a former DUP Special Adviser and Belfast City Councillor. He also worked as Director of Communications and Media Relations at Glasgow Rangers FC. David now runs his own property and hospitality businesses with his wife.

In his address to the IIEA, George Monbiot discusses how humanity is living within an increasingly tight space, one in which 8 billion people and more need to be fed, within an Earth system whose planetary boundaries have already been breached, to a large extent as a result of food production. How do we maintain high yields, while radically reducing environmental impacts? In his address, Mr Monbiot shares some of his answers to this question. These answers are complex, taking into account social, political, economic, organisational and technological factors, and might not be what you would expect. About the Speaker: George Monbiot is an author, columnist at The Guardian, and environmental activist, whose current research focus is on the global food system. His best-selling books include Feral: Rewilding the land, sea and human life, Heat: how to stop the planet burning, and Out of the Wreckage: a new politics for an age of crisis. George was awarded the Orwell Prize for Journalism in 2022. His latest book, Regenesis: Feeding the World without Devouring the Planet, draws on astonishing advances in soil ecology to explore pioneering ways to grow more food with less farming.

In his address to the IIEA, Alberto Alemanno shares his views on the state of the European Union and the major political, legal and public policy trends in advance of the European Parliament elections and the new legislature. About the Speaker: Alberto Alemanno is the Jean Monnet Professor of European Union Law & Policy at HEC Paris. Alberto’s research has been centered on how the law may be used to improve people’s lives, in particular through the adoption of power-shifting reforms countering social, health, economic, and political disparities of access within society. He’s the author of more than sixty scientific articles and a dozen books, including ‘Lobbying for Change: Find Your Voice to Create a Better Society’. Alberto is also a permanent visiting professor at the University of Tokyo School of Public Policy, the College of Europe, in Bruges and a scholar at the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law as well as fellow at The Rutgers Institute for Corporate Social Innovation at Rutgers University.

In his address, Mr Moledo gives an overview of the findings of the European Disability Forum’s 6th Human Rights Report, which is entitled: political participation of persons with disabilities. The report outlines the legal and practical barriers that persons with disabilities face when exercising their electoral rights in the EU elections across the 27 EU Member States. This includes the right to vote, the right to stand as candidate, the accessibility of the elections’ proceedings, facilities, or materials, and accommodations for independent and secret voting. About the Speaker: Alejandro Moledo is the Deputy Director of the European Disability Forum (EDF) and he leads and coordinates EDF’s advocacy and policy work at EU level. He also supports the work of the European Parliament Disability Intergroup. Mr Moledo is also member of the Spanish Blind Organisation (ONCE), for which he previously worked as a journalist and regional representative of young visually impaired people. Mr. Moledo holds a Bachelor's degree with honours in Journalism from University of Valencia and a Master's degree in political and corporate communication from University of Navarra and George Washington University.

This event was organised in conjunction with Gas Networks Ireland Expert speakers discuss how Ireland can harness the potential of renewable gas production and anaerobic digestion to decarbonise the national gas network. As Ireland seeks to meet its green transition obligations, biomethane and other renewable gases could not only enable Ireland's decarbonisation, but also provide opportunities for exporting energy. At present, Ireland's national modern network can already transport biomethane and hydrogen and could be adapted to transport 100 percent green hydrogen in the future. This panel discusses the opportunities that renewable gas production and anaerobic digestion could provide for Ireland and how to remove obstacles to their use. About the Speakers: David Kelly is the Director of Customer and Business Development at Gas Networks Ireland. David has over twenty years of executive-level experience having worked extensively in both the private and public sectors throughout his career. Prior to being appointed to his current role, David was the Group Head of Customer Operations and Public Affairs for Ervia. JJ Lenehan is a Building Officer with Teagasc, the national body providing integrated research, advisory and training services to the agriculture and food industry and rural communities. Together with two colleagues he looks after technical property related issues at the 55 locations the organisation operates from across the country. He is an engineer by profession and has a special interest in energy use in Teagasc where the Built Environment accounts for the largest proportion of energy consumed at over 80% of the total. Teresa O’Flynn is a partner at Ara Partners and co-leads their infrastructure strategy. She has more than twenty years of sustainable investing expertise with extensive renewable power energy infrastructure experience, both in the fund management sector and at the operating company level. Teresa joined BlackRock in 2011 as a founding member of its Global Renewable Power Infrastructure business. In 2019, she became Global Head of Sustainable Investing for BlackRock’s Alternatives investment platform. Prior to joining BlackRock, Teresa worked for NTR plc, a private infrastructure developer, across several of the group’s European and US wind development subsidiaries. Christian Bendrup Faurholt is a project manager for the annual report of security of supply in the Danish gas system. He is also Energinet’s Associated Activities country lead for projects in India, Vietnam, and Poland and a project manager for Energinet’s Long Term Development Plan for the Danish gas and electricity systems. Christian holds a degree in international relations and is specialised in climate diplomacy and the Paris Agreement. Caoimhe Giblin is Managing Director, Commercial at ElectroRoute. There, she is a member of the senior management team and leads ElectroRoute’s commercial origination and trading operation teams. Caoimhe has worked in the energy sector for over 15 years and sits on the Council of Wind Energy Ireland. She was formerly Director of Finance at SSE Renewables where she had responsibility for the financial activities of SSE plc’s extensive on and off-shore wind development and construction portfolio. A qualified Chartered Accountant, Caoimhe spent 6 years working with KPMG in Dublin and New Zealand. Caoimhe is a graduate Dublin City University, where she obtained a Degree and Masters in Accountancy.