IIEA Talks

'Europe from the Inside' In the final edition of IIEA Insights before the summer break, recently retired Head of the European Commission’s Representation Office in Dublin, Barbara Nolan, will offer reflections from her decades-long career in the EU civil service. In the discussion, she will examine the changing role of the European Commission and other EU institutions; power dynamics within the bloc in the context of a near-tripling of members during her career; and how Britain’s exit from the bloc has changed it. Barbara will also offer perspectives on Ireland’s interests and positions in the EU over three decades. Barbara Nolan was Head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland on two occasions, from 2021-2024 and 2010-2016, but spent most of her career at the Commission’s HQ in Brussels. There, she was in charge of Fundamental Rights Policy in the Justice and Consumers Directorate General and represented the Commission on the board of the Fundamental Rights Agency. She was also responsible for the coordination of the Erasmus+ programme, the reform and modernisation of Higher Education, and worked on Anti-Discrimination Policy and Communications and Media. She was the European Commission's Spokesperson for Employment, Social Affairs and Health matters, as well as for Justice and Home Affairs.

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 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 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. The second event of this series, entitled Developing a Life Sciences Vision for Ireland: Insights from Europe on Health Innovation, will look how Ireland should shape its life sciences strategy through a healthcare lens. The panellists will discuss the case for a coordinated government approach and explore how aligning healthcare policy with sectoral strategy can unleash benefits both for patients and the economy. Based on their experiences at both national and international level, the panellists will examine what other European countries have done to strengthen links between industry and healthcare systems, prepare for future waves of innovation, and how Ireland can use collaboration with the wider health sector to strengthen its position as a global life sciences hub. Panellists: Professor Mary Horgan, Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health Ann Van Gysel, CEO of Biovia, Belgium Dr Niklas Blomberg, Executive Director of Innovative Health Initiative Gwynne Morley, General Manager at IQVIA Ireland Ronan Glynn, EY Ireland Health Sector Leader.

In 2024 there were more internet shutdowns, occurring in more countries, than ever before. In this event, Felicia Anthonio, KeepItOn Campaign Manager at Access Now, and Zach Rosson, KeepItOn Data and Research Lead at Access Now, outline Access Now’s latest report: Emboldened offenders, endangered communities: internet shutdowns in 2024. This report documents internet shutdowns and their often devastating impacts – including for human rights and human life — around the world. About the Speakers: Felicia Anthonio is #KeepItOn Campaign Manager at Access Now, an organisation which campaigns to promote digital rights and freedom of expression. The #KeepItOn Campaign is global campaign of over 300 organizations that fights against internet shutdowns. Felicia has authored and co-authored several publications on internet shutdowns and hosted the Kill Switch Podcast. Felicia is also an Advisory Council member of the US-based Open Technology Fund (OTF) and a board member of the World Expression Forum (WEXFO), in Norway. Zach Rosson is the #KeepItOn Data Analyst and Research Lead at Access Now, where he helps fight internet shutdowns globally. His past experience includes data analytics in the private sector as well as computational scientific research. He has published research in the field of seismology, using data mining and statistics to study earthquake risk due to fracking activities by the energy industry.

The emergence of quantum technologies may accelerate technological development and have far-reaching economic and societal impacts. In this event, Dr Gustav Kalbe, Acting Director for Emerging and Enabling Technologies, DG CONNECT, in the European Commission discusses EU policies toward quantum technologies, including the forthcoming EU Quantum Strategy and the EU Quantum Act. Mr Kalbe focuses part of his remarks on the EU’s policies to promote the development of quantum technologies as well as how the risks that these technologies may pose can be addressed. About the Speaker: Dr Gustav Kalbe is the Acting Director for Emerging and Enabling Technologies in DG CONNECT in the European Commission. He joined the European Commission in 1998 and has held several assignments in quantum technologies, photonics, and cybersecurity. In January 2021, he was appointed Deputy to the Director of DG CONNECT for Digital Excellence and Science Infrastructure. In 2018 Dr Kalbe became responsible for the establishment and operation of the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking. Dr. Kalbe holds a PhD in Physics.

Ireland’s ambitions to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 will require a fundamental transformation of its energy systems, including its gas network. Renewable gases such as hydrogen and biomethane can play an important role in this transition and in future-proofing Ireland’s energy supply. Renewable gases have the potential to enable sectors that cannot easily electrify to decarbonise. They also have the potential to enhance Ireland’s energy security while creating opportunities for export-driven economic growth. This panel discussion, organised in conjunction with Gas Networks Ireland, will discuss the transformation that might be required in Ireland’s gas network to reach net-zero carbon emissions, as well as the long-term potential benefits for Irish society and the wider economy that this transformation might yield. About the Speakers: Edwina Nyhan, Director of Strategy and Regulation at Gas Networks Ireland Tom O’Brien, Group Chief Executive of Nephin Energy Katy McNeil, Head of Scottish Government Office, Ireland Charlie Brophy, Principal Officer, Electricity Storage and Hydrogen Policy in the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment.