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 Ireland). The views, information or opinions expressed during the Just the Chats podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of EM Ireland. EM Ireland is not responsible, and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information provided by speakers on the podcast series. The purpose of the podcast is to share opinions and inform. The podcast series is available for private and non-commercial use only. No one other than EM Ireland staff is permitted to edit or modify this podcast. EM Ireland assumes no liability for any activities in connection with this podcast series or for use of same in connection with any other website or organisation.]

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 European Union Affairs
Mr. Christian Resch, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
Vice Adm DSM (Rtd) Mark Mellet, Former Chief of Staff, Irish Defence Forces
Professor John O’ Brennan, Professor, Maynooth University
Moderator: Noelle O Connell, CEO, European Movement Ireland
Music credit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ailbhe Crowley⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Recorded: 21 October 2024
[DISCLAIMER: European Movement Ireland (EM Ireland). The views, information or opinions expressed during the Just the Chats podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of EM Ireland. EM Ireland is not responsible, and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information provided by speakers on the podcast series. The purpose of the podcast is to share opinions and inform. The podcast series is available for private and non-commercial use only. No one other than EM Ireland staff is permitted to edit or modify this podcast. EM Ireland assumes no liability for any activities in connection with this podcast series or for use of same in connection with any other website or organisation.]

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 crisis, and his thoughts on the future of Europe.
Music credit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ailbhe Crowley⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Recorded: 31 May 2024
[DISCLAIMER: European Movement Ireland (EM Ireland). The views, information or opinions expressed during the Just the Chats podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of EM Ireland. EM Ireland is not responsible, and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information provided by speakers on the podcast series. The purpose of the podcast is to share opinions and inform. The podcast series is available for private and non-commercial use only. No one other than EM Ireland staff is permitted to edit or modify this podcast. EM Ireland assumes no liability for any activities in connection with this podcast series or for use of same in connection with any other website or organisation.]

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 opinions expressed during the Just the Chats podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of EM Ireland. EM Ireland is not responsible, and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information provided by speakers on the podcast series. The purpose of the podcast is to share opinions and inform. The podcast series is available for private and non-commercial use only. No one other than EM Ireland staff is permitted to edit or modify this podcast. EM Ireland assumes no liability for any activities in connection with this podcast series or for use of same in connection with any other website or organisation.]

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 we should communicate with European citizens about migration.
Music credit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ailbhe Crowley⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Recorded: 24 January 2023
[DISCLAIMER: European Movement Ireland (EM Ireland). The views, information or opinions expressed during the Just the Chats podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of EM Ireland. EM Ireland is not responsible, and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information provided by speakers on the podcast series. The purpose of the podcast is to share opinions and inform. The podcast series is available for private and non-commercial use only. No one other than EM Ireland staff is permitted to edit or modify this podcast. EM Ireland assumes no liability for any activities in connection with this podcast series or for use of same in connection with any other website or organisation.]

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 Rheingau-Taunis – Limburg constituency in the as a member of Alliance 90/ The Greens.
Dr Lührmann joins us to discuss Irish-German relations, the upcoming European Parliament elections and youth engagement in politics.
Music credit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ailbhe Crowley⁠⁠⁠⁠
Recorded: 12 January 2023
[DISCLAIMER: European Movement Ireland (EM Ireland). The views, information or opinions expressed during the Just the Chats podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of EM Ireland. EM Ireland is not responsible, and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information provided by speakers on the podcast series. The purpose of the podcast is to share opinions and inform. The podcast series is available for private and non-commercial use only. No one other than EM Ireland staff is permitted to edit or modify this podcast. EM Ireland assumes no liability for any activities in connection with this podcast series or for use of same in connection with any other website or organisation.]

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.
Norah is also a STEM advocate and an award-winning author, having published a children’s book titled Shooting for the Stars in 2019.
Norah joined us to talk about Ireland and the EU’s place in the space industry, and about launching her sponsorship campaign for space flight, in September 2023.
Music credit: ⁠⁠⁠Ailbhe Crowley⁠⁠⁠
Recorded: 15 December 2023
[DISCLAIMER: European Movement Ireland (EM Ireland). The views, information or opinions expressed during the Just the Chats podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of EM Ireland. EM Ireland is not responsible, and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information provided by speakers on the podcast series. The purpose of the podcast is to share opinions and inform. The podcast series is available for private and non-commercial use only. No one other than EM Ireland staff is permitted to edit or modify this podcast. EM Ireland assumes no liability for any activities in connection with this podcast series or for use of same in connection with any other website or organisation.]

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 fighting harmful content online.
Music credit: ⁠⁠Ailbhe Crowley⁠⁠
Recorded: 11 December 2023
[DISCLAIMER: European Movement Ireland (EM Ireland). The views, information or opinions expressed during the Just the Chats podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of EM Ireland. EM Ireland is not responsible, and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information provided by speakers on the podcast series. The purpose of the podcast is to share opinions and inform. The podcast series is available for private and non-commercial use only. No one other than EM Ireland staff is permitted to edit or modify this podcast. EM Ireland assumes no liability for any activities in connection with this podcast series or for use of same in connection with any other website or organisation.]

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) groups and large-scale domestic groups in the EU. The Directive follows on Ireland, along with over 130 other countries in the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (the Inclusive Framework), signing up in October 2021 to an historic agreement to reform the international tax framework as it applies to large corporate groups.
Keynote Speaker: Minister Michael McGrath TD, Ireland’s Minister for Finance
Welcome Remarks: Andrew Quinn, Head of Tax, Maples Group
Moderator: Noelle O Connell, CEO, European Movement Ireland
Music credit: ⁠⁠Ailbhe Crowley⁠⁠
Recorded: 20 November 2023
[DISCLAIMER: European Movement Ireland (EM Ireland). The views, information or opinions expressed during the Just the Chats podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of EM Ireland. EM Ireland is not responsible, and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information provided by speakers on the podcast series. The purpose of the podcast is to share opinions and inform. The podcast series is available for private and non-commercial use only. No one other than EM Ireland staff is permitted to edit or modify this podcast. EM Ireland assumes no liability for any activities in connection with this podcast series or for use of same in connection with any other website or organisation.]

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 decades, since its establishment in 1992.
Laura joined us to discuss the role of the EPA, the EU's leadership on environmental issues and how Ireland compares to other Member States.
Music credit: ⁠Ailbhe Crowley⁠
Recorded: 2 November 2023
[DISCLAIMER: European Movement Ireland (EM Ireland). The views, information or opinions expressed during the Just the Chats podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of EM Ireland. EM Ireland is not responsible, and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information provided by speakers on the podcast series. The purpose of the podcast is to share opinions and inform. The podcast series is available for private and non-commercial use only. No one other than EM Ireland staff is permitted to edit or modify this podcast. EM Ireland assumes no liability for any activities in connection with this podcast series or for use of same in connection with any other website or organisation.]

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 said “it is a pleasure to join European Movement Ireland to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Ireland’s membership of the EU. It is something worth celebrating as the story of modern, prosperous, and progressive twenty-first century Ireland is interwoven with the development of the European Union. It is the story of an extraordinary transformation that I hope will offer inspiration to those countries now looking to join the EU – from Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia to the countries of the Western Balkans.
“Today’s EU is bigger and more diverse than the one we joined in 1973. It is our home that we have helped to build, and its foundations are strong. We look forward to the next fifty years of membership with confidence and ambition.”
This episode is a part of a wider podcast series from European Mivement Ireland that celebrates 50 years of Ireland’s membership of the European Union and reflects on how EU membership has left a defining mark on the Ireland of today. In 1972, the Irish Council of the European Movement (today known as European Movement Ireland) played a key role in campaigning for Ireland to join the EEC. 50 years on, our organisation is excited to bring to you the ultimate podcast series on ‘Ireland EU50’.
⁠European Movement Ireland⁠ | ⁠European Movement International 

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 in addressing the current challenges with Northern Ireland, how the UK, together with the EU, have been in lockstep supporting Ukraine, plus some discussion on the Ambassador’s experiences of living in Ireland and Eurovision chat. Listen now.
Music credit: Ailbhe Crowley
Recorded: 5 May 2023
[DISCLAIMER: European Movement Ireland (EM Ireland). The views, information or opinions expressed during the Just the Chats podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of EM Ireland. EM Ireland is not responsible, and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information provided by speakers on the podcast series. The purpose of the podcast is to share opinions and inform. The podcast series is available for private and non-commercial use only. No one other than EM Ireland staff is permitted to edit or modify this podcast. EM Ireland assumes no liability for any activities in connection with this podcast series or for use of same in connection with any other website or organisation.]

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 Third Level Institutions.
The third phase competition invited students from Third Level Institutions to express their views on the EU’s core values such as human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law, and human rights.
The winning entry, who was awarded with €2,000, could be in the form of a podcast, newspaper column/opinion piece, speech, or a poster. MyEU50 launched in September 2022. More than 5000 pupils and students have participated in the competition to mark 50 years of Ireland’s EU membership.
More information can be found at www.myeu50.ie.

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 schools, Post-Primary schools, and Third Level Institutions.
The third phase competition invited students from Third Level Institutions to express their views on the EU’s core values such as human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law, and human rights.
The winning entry, who was awarded with €2,000, could be in the form of a podcast, newspaper column/opinion piece, speech, or a poster. MyEU50 launched in September 2022. More than 5,000 pupils and students have participated in the competition to mark 50 years of Ireland’s EU membership.
More information can be found at www.myeu50.ie

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 McGuinness is the European Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union. The Commissioner’s vision for the portfolio is focused on ensuring the financial sector’s strength and stability, so that it can deliver for people, society and the environment.
Before joining the Commission in October 2020, Ms McGuinness was First Vice-President of the European Parliament. She served as an MEP from Ireland for 16 years, and was a Vice-President of the Parliament since 2014.
This episode is a part of a wider podcast series from European Mivement Ireland that celebrates 50 years of Ireland’s membership of the European Union and reflects on how EU membership has left a defining mark on the Ireland of today. In 1972, the Irish Council of the European Movement (today known as European Movement Ireland) played a key role in campaigning for Ireland to join the EEC. 50 years on, our organisation is excited to bring to you the ultimate podcast series on ‘Ireland EU50’.