IIEA Talks

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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