Association of European Journalists (Irish Section)

I was delighted to be invited by Richard Moore to speak last week with members of the Association of European Journalists (Irish Section) at the Grand Canal Hotel in Dublin.

The discussion was wide-ranging and engaging, touching on the intersection of politics, media, business and public life, and drawing on my own experiences both in Ireland and internationally.

Key themes explored during the session included:

• Reflections on my experiences running in the 2011 and 2018 Irish Presidential elections, including the often arduous process of securing a place on the ballot through nominations from four local authorities.

• The challenges, uncertainties and realities of election campaigning, and how non-politicians might navigate what can be an unpredictable and demanding race.

• The growing impact of social media on electioneering, public discourse and citizen engagement in democratic processes.

• How my community roots provided a foundation and springboard into public life.

• Insights from my career as a businessman and entrepreneur, and how Ireland can meet future economic challenges by embracing the significant opportunities available to Irish companies internationally—particularly in light of my recent business engagements in the UAE and wider Middle East, Singapore, Japan, Canada and the United States.

It was a stimulating and thoughtful exchange, and I greatly appreciated the opportunity to engage with such an informed group of journalists on issues that are central to Ireland’s democratic, economic and international future.