Europe’s Next Phase of Growth: Integration, Innovation, and the Digital Economy
In his role as Minister of Economy and Finance of Greece, Kyriakos Pierrakakis has regularly called for the implementation of recommendations from the Draghi report in order for Europe to become further integrated and unlock the continent’s next phase of growth. In this fireside chat at the IIEA, Minister Pierrakakis discusses what the EU needs to get right in order to unlock new pockets of growth, as well as what the digitalisation of the EU’s economy means for the future.
About the Speaker:
Kyriakos Pierrakakis has served as Minister of Economy and Finance of the Hellenic Republic in Prime Minister Mitsotakis' Cabinet since March 2025 and is a Member of Parliament. Previously, he was Minister of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports (2023-2025), where he initiated a series of reforms of Greece’s education system, most notably establishing a framework for private universities to formally operate in Greece for the first time and banning mobile phones in classrooms. As Minister of Digital Governance (2019-2023), he led Greece’s digital transformation, with the creation of the government portal gov.gr being the most notable initiative and one of the most popular reforms initiated in Greece. He has also served as the chair of the OECD's Global Strategy Group since 2021, a position he was re-appointed to in 2024. Minister Pierrakakis holds degrees from MIT (M.S. Technology and Policy), Harvard Kennedy School (Master in Public Policy), and Athens University of Economics and Business (B.S. Computer Science).
--------
31:25
--------
31:25
Creating a European Investment Culture
The European Commission’s publication of their recommendation on “Increasing the Availability of Savings and Investment Accounts with Simplified and Advantageous Tax Treatment” on September 30th marks an important milestone on the EU Savings and Investment Union journey. As a leading European funds and asset management centre, Ireland has a key role to play in this significant development in the European asset management industry – but a roadmap will be necessary if the potential of this initiative is to be realised.
This event discusses the practical steps – and challenges – in establishing Savings and Investment Accounts across the 27 member states of the EU and the important role of the Irish funds and asset management industry in this step-change in EU savings and investment culture.
This event features a keynote address from John Berrigan, Director General of DG FISMA. The event also includes a panel discussion including John Berrigan as well as:
Seán Páircéir, Partner and Global Head of Investor Services at Brown Brothers Harriman
Jonathan Cleborne, Head of Europe at Vanguard
Susan O'Reilly, Head of Funds, Markets and Securities, Financial Services Division - Department of Finance.
Dr Orlaigh Quinn, (Moderator), Former Secretary General of the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employmen
--------
45:52
--------
45:52
Thomas Wright - 26th of November 2025
'Ireland-US Relations in Crisis?'
The return of Donald Trump to the US presidency in January 2025 marked a dramatic change in America’s posture towards allies and adversaries alike. For Ireland, this has manifested in the unilateral imposition of tariffs, criticism of the scale of U.S. pharmaceutical manufacturing taking place in Ireland, and the fining of US tech companies for breaches of EU rules. Separately, unprecedented salvoes of public criticism of Ireland from US lawmakers over the Occupied Territories Bill have taken place along with wider criticism of Ireland for free riding on U.S. security guarantees and acting as a tax haven for US corporations. Former special assistant to President Joe Biden, Tom Wright, joins IIEA Insights to discuss the current state of Ireland-US relations and how relations might play out over the remainder of the Trump presidency.
Thomas Wright, currently a senior fellow with the Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy and Technology at the Brookings Institution, served as special assistant to the president and senior director for strategic planning at the National Security Council in the Biden Administration. At the White House, Tom worked on a wide range of projects and issues, including the 2022 U.S. National Security Strategy, the Russia-Ukraine war and European security, U.S.-China relations, the global south, foreign economic policy, and countering the growing alignment between U.S. adversaries and competitors (China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea). He is also an author and contributing writer to the Atlantic.
--------
31:23
--------
31:23
The Future of Transport: Powering Ireland’s e-Mobility Transition
As Ireland advances towards its 2030 and 2050 climate goals, transforming how people and goods move will be essential. The final event in the 2025 ESB REthink Energy series explores the future of transport and the growing role of electric mobility in achieving a cleaner, smarter, and more connected system. The discussion examines the evolution of battery technologies, the electrification of public and private transport, and the development of the infrastructure required to support widespread adoption of electric vehicles. The panellists also consider how policy, innovation, and consumer behaviour can drive Ireland’s transition towards a sustainable and resilient transport network.
This event is part of the IIEA’s REthink Energy series, organised in partnership with ESB.
Panellists:
· Dr Euan McTurk, Consultant Battery Electrochemist, Plug Life Consulting Ltd (Keynote Address)
· Professor Brian Caulfield, Professor in Transportation at Trinity College Dublin
· Aoife O’Grady, Head of Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland, Department of Transport
--------
1:13:38
--------
1:13:38
Opportunities in Orbit: The Role of Space in Ireland's National Security and Space
Space assets are increasingly important for national prosperity and resilience. This panel discussion highlights the role of space in supporting communications, transport, financial transactions, and other critical services necessary for daily life. This panel, drawing on practitioners and policy experts, also discusses space and other policy frameworks to ensure that Ireland can continue to remain resilient and prosperous at a time of growing tension.
This event has been organised in conjunction with the Embassy of Canada
About the Speakers:
Kealan McMoreland, Head of the Office of Emergency Planning at the Department of Defence
Dr Norah Patten, Aeronautical Engineer, Bioastronautics Researcher, and will be Ireland’s first astronaut
Dr Shawna Pandya, Emergency and Aeromedical Transport Physician, and Canada’s first commercial female astronaut
Fintan Buckley, Co-founder and CEO of Ubotica
New Zealand