A conversation with Minister Simon Coveney TD and Ambassador McKee:

Canada-Ireland Summer Webinar presented by the Pan-Can Ireland Chambers of Commerce

Join the Irish Chambers across Canada for this online event presented in partnership by the Ireland-Canada Chamber of Commerce Ottawa (ICCCOTT), Ireland Canada Chamber of Commerce in Toronto (ICCCTO), Ireland-Canada Chamber of Commerce in Montreal (ICCCMTL), Ireland-Canada Centre for Commerce, Calgary (ICCC) and Ireland-Canada Chamber of Commerce Vancouver (ICCCVAN).

EVENT DETAILS:

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021 at

6 pm GMT / 1 pm EST / 11 am MT / 10 am PST

Please use the link below to sign up for attendance.

Virtual link will be emailed to all those registered prior to the event.

AGENDA:

Welcome and Introduction: Pan-Can Ireland Chambers of Commerce Presenter and Moderator, Jackie Gilna-Turton

Opening Remarks: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence in Irish Government, Simon Coveney TD

Pan-Can Ireland Chambers Q&A: Minister Coveney and the Pan-Can Ireland Chambers of Commerce, moderated by Jackie Gilna-Turton

Fireside Chat: Minister Coveney and the Ambassador of Ireland to Canada, Dr. Eamonn McKee

Closing Remarks: Thank you all for joining us

SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES:

Simon Coveney TD, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Deputy Leader of Fine Gael

Simon Coveney TD is the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence. He is also the Deputy Leader of Fine Gael. He previously served as Tánaiste from November 30th, 2017 to June 27th, 2020, and Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government as well as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

For the 6 month period to the end of June 2013 Simon chaired the EU Council of Agriculture & Fisheries Ministers where he was at the forefront regarding EU efforts in respect of Common Agriculture (CAP) as well as Common Fisheries (CFP) Policy reforms. Under his chairmanship both dossiers were progressed significantly, with a reform package for CFP agreed in May 2013 and a reform package for CAP agreed at the end of the Irish Presidency in July. The Defence portfolio was added to his brief on July 11, 2014. He represents the Cork South Central constituency.

Simon was first elected to the Dáil in 1998 as one of Fine Gael’s youngest TDs and held Shadow Ministries in the areas of Drugs and Youth Affairs, Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, and Transport. Simon chaired the Fine Gael Policy Development Committee prior to the 2011 General Election.

Simon was elected to the European Parliament in 2004 and was a member of the EPP-ED group. He was a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee. Simon was the author of the European Parliament’s Annual Report on Human Rights in the World for the year 2004 and again for 2006.

Simon was a member of Cork County Council and the Southern Health Board from 1999 to 2003. Born in Cork in June 1972, Simon holds a B.Sc. in Agriculture and Land Management from The Royal Agriculture College, Gloucestershire. He was also educated at Clongowes Wood College, County Kildare; University College Cork and Gurteen Agricultural College, County Tipperary. A keen fan of all competitive sport, he played Rugby for Garryowen, Cork Constitution and Crosshaven Rugby Club. In 1997/8 he led the “Sail Chernobyl Project” which involved sailing 30,000 miles around the world for charity. He is a qualified sailing instructor and lifeguard.

Eamonn McKee, Ambassador of Ireland to Canada

Eamonn McKee graduated from UCD with a degree in history (modern Irish) and economics in 1982, followed by a Ph.D. from the National University of Ireland in 1987 for a thesis on Irish economic policy,1939 to1952.

He joined the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1986 and worked in Anglo-Irish Division, which would become the focus for his work for the following twenty years, including for six years at the Embassy Washington from 1990 to 1996. Professionally, Washington was incredibly fulfilling, involving as it did engagement with Congress on immigration reform and with the Clinton White House on the emerging Northern Ireland Peace Process. Professional and personal life crossed with he met Congressman Bruce Morrison’s legislative staffer, Mary Rae McGillis while lobbying for Irish visas. Ireland got the visas and he got a wife and later three wonderful children.

Eamonn served twice more in Anglo-Irish Division focused on security issues, including Bloody Sunday, contentious parades, policing and confidence in the rule of law, the use of lethal force, the Cory process and criminal justice reform. He was honoured to be a member of the Irish Government’s talks team that negotiated the Good Friday Agreement and was later involved in its implementation on the policing and justice agenda. He served for two years as press officer at the Consulate General New York.

From 2004 he served in Irish Aid (on the emergency humanitarian side), as UN Director and founding Director of the Conflict Resolution Unit. He served as Ambassador to Seoul (2009-13) and Israel (2013-2015). He took up duty as Director General, Trade and Promotion Division in August 2015.

Eamonn has been blogging for a number of years, drawing inspiration from the countries to which he has been posted but mainly from his interests which are predominantly Ireland and our history. You can find them on his website: www.eamonncmckee.com

ORGANIZERS:

• Ireland-Canada Chamber of Commerce Ottawa (ICCCOTT)
• Ireland-Canada Chamber of Commerce in Toronto (ICCCTO)
• Ireland-Canada Chamber of Commerce in Montreal (ICCCMTL)
• Ireland-Canada Centre for Commerce, Calgary (ICCC)
• Ireland-Canada Chamber of Commerce Vancouver (ICCCVAN)

WITH THANKS:

To our Event Sponsors:

• Shopify
• Tourism Ireland

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