Ms. Frances Fitzgerald MEP (and host of the podcast "The European Lens") joins Dr. Robert Mauro, Executive Director, Global Leadership Institute, to discuss Ireland's role in the European Union, the European Union's role in Ireland, and global leadership. Learn about her view of the Irish public's relationship with the European Union and how it has changed or not through the Brexit process. Discussion investigates the role of the European Union in combating Covid-19, promoting public welfare, enhancing diversity and inclusion, and encouraging economic development as well as sustainable trade. Opening remarks provided by Dr. Laoise Moore, Consul General of Ireland to New England.

Frances Fitzgerald is an Irish MEP from Dublin. 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.

Frances was elected to the European Parliament in 2019. 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 EPP Coordinator of the FEMM Committee in July 2019.