On 12 March 2020, we were delighted to get the opportunity to interview Lord David Puttnam. Speaking to our Executive Director, Noelle O Connell, David discusses digital technology and the phenomenon of ‘fake news’, his experience as a Prime Ministerial Trade Envoy, Anglo-Irish relations post-Brexit, the European migration crisis and much more (yes, we discuss films too!).
“It will all come down to leadership and that in turn will all come down to young people. You have to hope that the current generation of young people have been sufficiently scarred and disappointed by the decisions made towards the latter part of my life, that they won’t make the same mistakes again”
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.]

On 11 March 2020, we were delighted to get the opportunity to interview Claire Hanna - MP for Belfast South. Speaking to our Executive Director, Noelle O Connell, Claire discusses Brexit, the United Ireland question, what it is like to be an MP during this remarkable time and much more.
"The Good Friday Agreement is the lodestar for me and as John Hume always said, 'it’s about uniting people not uniting territory'".

Clár speisialta é seo de Just the Chats mar cheiliúradh ar Sheachtain na Gaeilge. Labhair ár mBainisteoir Cumarsáide agus Feachtas, Lisa Nic an Bhreithimh le hEimear Ní Bhroin, Oifigeach Cúrsaí Teangan le hIonadaíocht Choimisiún na hEorpa In Éirinn, le Mícheál Ó Conaire, Príomhoifigeach leis an Roinn Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta agus le hEoin Ó Catháin a bhfuil roinnt blianta caite aige ag obair sa Bhruiséil, agus phléigh siad uile an tAontas Eorpach agus an Ghaeilge. Labhair Eoin faoina shaol sa Bhruiséil go dtí seo ag obair i réimsí éagsúla agus ina dhiaidh sin labhair Eimear agus Mícheál faoi na deiseanna éagsúla ata ann do cheimithe ó Éirinn leis na hInstitiúidí Eorpacha agus faoin nasc tábhachtach atá ann idir an Ghaeilge agus an AE.
A special Irish language episode of Just the Chats to celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge – a discussion about all things Gaeilge and Europe, EU Job opportunities for Irish graduates and more!
Ceol (Music Credit): Ailbhe Crowley.

In November 2019, European Movement Ireland held an event with Bonnie Greer and Miriam O'Callaghan in Dublin. During the audience Q&A, Áine Mulloy spoke openly and honestly about her experiences of racism in Ireland. We wanted to continue this conversation, so we invited Áine onto our podcast to discuss what she raised in further detail.
This discussion was hosted by our Communications Manager, Lisa Nic An Bhreithimh, and involved our Communications Officer and Blue Star Programme Manager, Ryan Levis, and our Vice Chair and former Chief Commissioner of Irish Girl Guides, Jillian van Turnhout.
So listen in as we explore the importance of multiculturalism in Ireland, the role of social media in society, and how young people can lead the way in embracing diversity.

On our latest podcast, we are joined by two Ambassadors who discuss in detail how they have found their time in Ireland since beginning their terms as Ambassadors to Ireland. Hosted by our Executive Director, Noelle O Connell, we explore Croatia's key priorities as they hold the Presidency of the Council of the EU, and we get an outside of the EU perspective from Australia.
We open the podcast by expressing our solidarity with the Australian Ambassador, in light of the terrible bush fires that have occurred down under these past few weeks.
So many thanks to the Ambassador of Croatia to Ireland, Davor Vidis, and Ambassador of Australia to Ireland, Richard Andrews, for joining us for just a chat!
Music credit: Ailbhe Crowley

American-British playwright, novelist and critic Bonnie Greer spoke to broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan at a sold out European Movement Ireland event in the National Concert Hall this evening, less than two months after her comments on BBC’s ‘Question Time’ in relation to the impact of Brexit on Ireland and the 'special' relationship between Ireland and the US went viral worldwide.
In conversation with Miriam O Callaghan, Ms Greer spoke about the devastating impact Brexit is expected to have on Ireland and addressed the sensitive 'four-way' issue of Irish - UK - EU - US relations. She went on to discuss the current state of democracy worldwide and politics in the US as the 2020 US Election campaign gets underway. She spoke about her own work and what her influences over the years, one of which being her own move from the US to the UK in 1986. She concluded by looking forward to address the challenges of Brexit, and both the present and future of the UK and the European Union as a whole.
So listen along to Bonnie, Miriam and our very own Noelle O Connell, as they speak to a live audience on an array of topics.
[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 Irealnd 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 our latest podcast, we are joined by four Ambassadors who discuss in detail how they have found their time in Ireland since beginning their terms as Ambassadors to Ireland. Hosted by our Executive Director, Noelle O Connell, we explore Belgium's interesting position at the heart of Europe, Finland's current role as holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU, the close links between France and Ireland, and the parallels between Germany's experience with reunification and how debate on unification on this island has developed. So many thanks to our Ambassador of France to Ireland, Stephane Crouzat; Ambassador of Belgium to Ireland Pierre-Emmanuel De Bauw; Ambassador of Finland to Ireland Raili Lahnalampi; Ambassador of Germany to Ireland, Deike Potzel, for joining us for just a chat!
Music credit: Ailbhe Crowley

In April 2016, EM Ireland launched its online #PhoneAFriend voter registration drive urging people to reach out to friends and family eligible to vote in the UK’s EU referendum. Our campaign ‘Is Someone You Love in the Picture?’ encouraged Irish-born people who lived in the UK, and British citizens who lived in Ireland, to register to vote by the 7 June deadline ahead of the 23 June referendum. EM Ireland's voter registration campaign gained 3,358,763 impressions in the UK and 775,898 impressions in Ireland.
Fast forward to now in October 2019, we are still discussing Brexit. For our inaugural podcast, we are joined by four guests who are all either living, studying or working on the two islands, as they describe their day-to-day lives with Brexit looming. So listen in with our Executive Director, Noelle O Connell, as she hosts a discussion between Claire Tighe, Charlie Power, Laragh Keane and Rory Guinness, on all things Brexit.
Music credit: Ailbhe Crowley