Uploaded May 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The European Union celebrates what is considered the anniversary of the creation of the EU, the 'Schuman Declaration' of 1950, every May. On that occasion, French foreign minister, Robert Schumann, set out a vision for peace, unity, and political cooperation across the continent.
To celebrate Europe Day 2021, IES hosted a conversation with Irish Member of the European Parliament, Frances Fitzgerald.
This event offers us the chance to reflect on the vast strides the EU has made over the last 71 years; the newly renewed transatlantic relationship as well as Ireland's place therein; some challenges on which the USA and Europe are working together in climate change and cyber security; and of current issues such as the recovery from Covid-19 and the world after Brexit.
MEP Fitzgerald is joined in conversation by IES Associate Director Akasemi Newsome, and Robert O'Driscoll, Consul General of Ireland in San Francisco. Introductions by Catherine Flynn, Director of Irish Studies and Professor of English at UC Berkeley.
Frances Fitzgerald MEP was elected to the European Parliament in 2019. A parliamentarian for over 20 years, she served as Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) from 2016-17, one of only four women to have ever held this position. She has also served as Minister for Business, Enterprise & Innovation (2017); Minister for Justice & Equality (2014-17) and was the State’s first Minister for Children & Youth Affairs (2011-14). Prior to her election to the Dáil (Irish Parliament), Frances served as Chair of the National Women’s Council of Ireland (1988-92) and Vice President of the European Women’s Lobby. She is a full member of the Women's Rights and Gender Equality Committee (FEMM) and the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee (ECON) and a substitute member of the Development Committee (DEVE) and the Committee on Foreign Interference in all Democratic Processes in the European Union, including Disinformation (INGE). Frances was elected Vice Chair of the EPP Group in March 2021, and EPP Coordinator of the FEMM Committee in July 2019.
The European Union celebrates what is considered the anniversary of the creation of the EU, the 'Schuman Declaration' of 1950, every May. On that occasion, French foreign minister, Robert Schumann, set out a vision for peace, unity, and political cooperation across the continent.
To celebrate Europe Day 2021, IES hosted a conversation with Irish Member of the European Parliament, Frances Fitzgerald.
This event offers us the chance to reflect on the vast strides the EU has made over the last 71 years; the newly renewed transatlantic relationship as well as Ireland's place therein; some challenges on which the USA and Europe are working together in climate change and cyber security; and of current issues such as the recovery from Covid-19 and the world after Brexit.
MEP Fitzgerald is joined in conversation by IES Associate Director Akasemi Newsome, and Robert O'Driscoll, Consul General of Ireland in San Francisco. Introductions by Catherine Flynn, Director of Irish Studies and Professor of English at UC Berkeley.
Frances Fitzgerald MEP was elected to the European Parliament in 2019. A parliamentarian for over 20 years, she served as Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) from 2016-17, one of only four women to have ever held this position. She has also served as Minister for Business, Enterprise & Innovation (2017); Minister for Justice & Equality (2014-17) and was the State’s first Minister for Children & Youth Affairs (2011-14). Prior to her election to the Dáil (Irish Parliament), Frances served as Chair of the National Women’s Council of Ireland (1988-92) and Vice President of the European Women’s Lobby. She is a full member of the Women's Rights and Gender Equality Committee (FEMM) and the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee (ECON) and a substitute member of the Development Committee (DEVE) and the Committee on Foreign Interference in all Democratic Processes in the European Union, including Disinformation (INGE). Frances was elected Vice Chair of the EPP Group in March 2021, and EPP Coordinator of the FEMM Committee in July 2019.
