'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.