Diplomatic Hour: In Conversation with the Ambassador of Ireland

In Conversation with the Ambassador of Ireland

The British Foreign Policy Group (BFPG) is delighted to welcome His Excellency, Mr Martin

Fraser, Ambassador of Ireland for an in-person public event on Ireland’s role in the world and Irish-UK relations.

EVENT DETAILS

Date: Tuesday 29th October 2024

Time: 17.30 - 18.30

Location: 23 Grafton Street, Mayfair, W1S 4EY

Irish Foreign Policy, since the foundation of the Irish State just over 100 years ago, has been a values-based foreign policy, shaped by Ireland’s history. Support for the international rules based order is at its core, and it is based on the fundamental principles of justice, human rights and supporting peace and friendly cooperation between nations.

Ireland and the UK have had a long and complex history. Both countries have forged their own paths – sometimes aligning, sometimes diverging. The last 25 years have heralded significant changes, as the two Governments and peoples have worked to ensure the maintenance of peace, political stability, and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and on the island of Ireland. The last 10 years, and the UK’s decision to leave the EU, recast again the relationship between our two islands, and presented particular challenges for Ireland, a committed EU member state.

In keeping with the new UK Government’s determination to reset relations with partners, the UK Government has heralded a reset in relations with Ireland, which the Irish Government has welcomed. There have already been a number of high-level meetings and both countries have expressed ambitions for a fresh approach to bilateral relations, building on existing links between our peoples and our economies, as well as working together in the ever more complex global geopolitical environment and the shared challenges we face.

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Please register to secure your place. Places are limited, and will be allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis. Should spaces run out you are welcome to join the waitlist and we will notify you should a space become available.

SPEAKERS

His Excellency Mr Martin Fraser

His Excellency Ambassador Fraser was appointed Ambassador of Ireland to the United Kingdom in 2022. He joined the Civil Service directly out of school, and served in a number of Government Departments. In 1999, he joined the Department of the Taoiseach, where he held a number of positions including head of the division with responsibility for Northern Ireland, British-Irish and US-Irish relations. In 2011, he was appointed Secretary General to the Government (Cabinet Secretary) and Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach, this also included the positions of Chair of the Civil Service Management Board and Chair of the National Economic & Social Council.

Evie Aspinall

Evie Aspinall is the Director of the British Foreign Policy Group. Her primary research interests are domestic consent for foreign policy, the UK’s role in the world and challenges posed by the UK’s strategic rivals. Evie holds a BA from the University of Cambridge and an MSc from King’s College London. She joined BFPG in 2020 and previously worked at UN Women UK and the Future Leaders Network and was formerly the UK Head Delegate to the Youth7, the G7’s official youth engagement group. She also served as President of Cambridge University Students’ Union. She is a regular commentator in the media on issues pertinent to UK foreign policy.

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Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The British Foreign Policy Group, 23 Grafton Street, London, United Kingdom