For the past 12 months, the European Movement Ireland team have been working remotely, having to adapt to the various challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this special episode of 'Just the Chats', our team reflects on their final days in the office in March 2020, and changes for the organisation in its digital outputs, communications and policy publications throughout the year. Noelle O Connell gives an in-depth insight into learnings and developments from a leadership perspective in her role as CEO of EM Ireland, and how COVID-19 has potentially impacted the future of general working life.
The discussion is hosted by EM Ireland Digital Communications Manager, Ryan Levis, in conversation with CEO, Noelle O Connell; Deputy CEO, Stephen O'Shea; Head of Communications and Education, Lisa Nic An Bhreithimh; and Policy & Research Officer, Ciarán O'Driscoll.

Clár speisialta é seo de Just the Chats mar cheiliúradh ar Sheachtain na Gaeilge 2021. Shuigh ár gCeanasaí Cumarsáide agus Oideachais, Lisa Nic an Bhreithimh síos le painéal aíonna, atá nó a bhíodh ag obair leis na hInstitiúidí, i mbun cainte faoin Aontas Eorpach agus an Ghaeilge – stair agus todhchaí na Gaeilge san Eoraip, deiseanna fostaíochta do dhaoine le Gaeilge sna hInstitiúidí agus a saolta féin le Gaeilge ag obair don AE. Ar an bpainéal tá Seán Ó Neachtain, IarFheisire Parlaimint na hEorpa ar foilsíodh leabhar leis le déanaí dár teideal Ón Spidéal go Strasbourg; Julie O’Farrell, Dlítheangeolaí le Cúirt Bhreithiúnais an Aontais Eorpaigh; Aisling Ní Chatháin, Ateangaire sa Choimisiún Eorpach, Úna O’Connor, Ceann Aonaid Gníomhach i Seirbhís Aistriúcháin de cuid Ardrúnaíocht Comhairle an AEagus Jim Maher, Comhairleoir Cumarsáide Digití le Parlaimint na hEorpa.
A special Irish language episode of Just the Chats to celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge – a discussion on the Irish language in the EU, past and present, EU Job opportunities for Irish speakers and more!

Listen to a recent EMI Online Event between ESB CEO, Pat O'Doherty and EM Ireland CEO, Noelle O Connell. This event looked at the electric future for Ireland and Europe including electricity’s innovative role in facilitating a green recovery and meeting the climate commitments of the EU’s Green Deal.
Pat O’Doherty is the CEO of ESB, Ireland’s leading energy company which has operations spanning electricity generation, transmission and distribution and supply. He has recently been appointed as President of Eurelectric, the federation for the European electricity industry.

In this special episode of Just the Chats for the 67th anniversary of the founding of the Irish Council of the European Movement, which later become European Movement Ireland, we sit down with one of our distinguished founding members, Denis Corboy. Denis shares an account of the early days of the organisation, how it played a key role in Ireland’s Referendum on EEC Membership in 1972 and the political, social landscape of Ireland at the time.

In this special EU Jobs episode of Just the Chats, our CEO Noelle O Connell sits down with Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne TD, our own Graduate Jobs Programme manager, Ciarán Murray and two young Irish professionals working in the EU Institutions - Sophie McNamara, a language assistant with the European Commission, and Christopher Finn, a language editor on the Irish team of the Publications Office of the European Union. Our guests discuss the government’s priorities and strategy on EU Jobs, tips for those interested in applying for EU Jobs, an Ghaeilge and more - a must-listen for those interested in working in Brussels, Strasbourg or further afield!

With Brexit negotiations reaching the endgame, Noelle O Connell sits down with newly appointed UK Ambassador to Ireland, Paul Johnston for an in-depth discussion on Brexit, his thoughts on the future of UK relations with Ireland, Europe and the US, his career as a diplomat to date and hopes and goals for his tenure as ambassador of the UK to Ireland.

In this episode of Just the Chats we take a look behind the curtain of Germany’s past and present in a frank and insightful conversation with the current German Ambassador to Ireland, H.E. Deike Potzel. Our discussion explores 30 years of unity in Germany, lessons learned and recent commemorations of reunification; Germany’s current role as holder of the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), the German perspective on Brexit, the strong German-Irish relationship and the unique role of Germany in the EU.

In this EM Ireland Brussels Branch special episode of Just the Chats, we sit down with Naomi O’Leary, Europe Correspondent of the Irish Times, and David Garrahy, Chair of the EM Ireland Brussels Branch for their insights and analysis from Brussels. We delve into how Ireland is seen in Brussels and across the EU, the role that languages and multilingualism play in EU relations and how Ireland’s approach is sometimes from the Anglosphere. We look ahead to the European Council summit and Commissioner hearings later this week - including that of Mairead McGuinness, Commissioner-Designate for Ireland, we explore and analyse the latest Brexit developments, and talk frankly about new working and living norms in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Listeners based in Brussels can connect with the Brussels Branch and learn more about their work or get involved through their Facebook page here.

In this episode of Just the Chats, our CEO, Noelle O Connell, sits down for a very special and important conversation with one of the few Holocaust survivors still living in Ireland, the renowned Tomi Reichental. Tomi talks us through his life story - from growing up as a child in Slovakia, to his time at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp from when he was just nine years old, to his work and family life here in Ireland. He speaks about his earliest memories and ‘the whispers’ of antisemitism, through to more recent times speaking to people in Ireland and further afield about his experiences of World War II.
A deeply personal and insightful journey with a most esteemed EM Ireland guest, and a reminder of the importance of solidarity, respect and understanding in challenging times, and the pillars and values of peace on which the European Union was built.
Please note: This episode of Just the Chats features some detailed descriptions of our guest’s experience of the Holocaust that some listeners may find upsetting. Listeners’ discretion is advised.
Music credit: Ailbhe Crowley

As we tick closer to Election Day in the US, we are joined by David O’ Sullivan (who served as the Ambassador of the EU to the US from 2014 until 2019), and Suzanne Lynch (the current Irish Times’ Washington correspondent, and former Irish Times’ Brussels correspondent) for their insights on Trump’s America, Biden’s chances, and the US-EU relationship.
Disagreements exist between the EU and US on a whole host of pressing policy issues, such as how to combat the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, globalisation, international trade, climate change, defence and security to China and Iran. It is hard to imagine a time when the relationship between the EU and US was in a more challenging position.
Hosted by our CEO Noelle O Connell, we explore these topics with David and Suzanne in further detail, as well as providing predictions for November.

Enjoy listening to this ‘behind-the-scenes’, in-studio conversation, hosted by EM Ireland’s Executive Director, Noelle O Connell and Board members, Catherine Day, former Secretary-General of the European Commission and Rory Montgomery, former Second Secretary General at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Permanent Representative to the EU, who share their insights in a moderated discussion with Professor Gavin Barrett of the UCD Sutherland School of Law.
The webinar, broadcasting live from recording studios in Dublin, took place just before the special meeting of the European Council on 17/18 July, including discussion on the European Recovery Plan and the Multi-Annual Financial Framework, Brexit, climate change and the Green New Deal, and the EU’s relations with the US and China. The discussion looks forward to the future relationship between the new Government of Ireland and the EU in the years ahead.

We were delighted to host an online event with the European Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly. Emily O’Reilly was first elected as the European Ombudsman in July 2013. Following the European Parliament elections, she was re-elected for a five year mandate in December 2014 and again in December 2019. As the European Ombudsman she investigates maladministration in the institutions and bodies of the European Union. Speaker Emily O'Reilly - European Ombudsman Moderator Martina Fitzgerald Hosted by Noelle O Connell - Executive Director, EM Ireland.

We were delighted to host our latest online event with Karen Banks, Deputy Director General of the Legal Service of the European Commission. Prior to this position, Ms Banks was Director responsible for running the AGRI-FISH team of the Legal Service. She has also worked in the areas of competition law, social law, intellectual property and the external relations aspects of EU law. Hosting this discussion was our Executive Director, Noelle O Connell.

During an exclusive European Movement Ireland webinar for our members, Vice President of the European Investment Bank, Andrew McDowell, was in conversation with our Chair, Maurice Pratt, and our Executive Director, Noelle O Connell. The discussion focused on how the EIB can best support business in Ireland during the COVID-19 crisis.

Since 2013, European Movement Ireland has commissioned RED C Research to conduct this poll of the opinions of people across Ireland about Europe and the EU. As in previous years, the poll featured key insights into Ireland’s relationship with the EU – from how the EU has responded to the COVID-19 crisis to how we view EU trade deals, the refugee crisis and more. We were delighted to discuss the findings during a webinar on Thursday 30 April 2020.
Speakers:
Tony Connelly – RTÉ Europe Editor
Dr. Katy Hayward – Queen’s University Belfast
Noelle O Connell – Executive Director, EM Ireland
Music credit: Ailbhe Crowley
[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.]