[2][3] According to Tony Brown, author of a history of the IIEA, it was established to promote informed debate on European affairs in the wake of the Crotty Judgement and the subsequent Irish referendum on the Single European Act, which he argues was marked by low turnout for the time and limited and low-quality debate.

The article also notes that the IEA rented a house on 8 North Great George's Street of which Halligan was a part owner.

The IIEA finally purchased the building in 1998, noting "a debt of gratitude to Brendan Halligan and Niall Greene" for this support in that year's Annual Report.

Early authors included as James Dooge, Miriam Hederman O'Brien, Brigid Laffan and Trinity College Dublin Professor Michael Marsh.

Brosnan was a former Secretary General of the Irish Department of Justice and had been Chef de Cabinet of Padraig Flynn in the European Commission.

[19] In March 2017, Barry Andrews, former CEO of GOAL and Irish Minister of State for Children, was appointed Director General.

[20] At the same time as the appointment of Barry Andrews, Halligan, then 81 years of age, stepped down as Chairperson to become President of the IIEA.

[22] He was succeeded as Acting Director General by Donal de Buitléir, Chairman of the Low Pay Commission.

An Irish Perspective",[28][29] an interview with IIEA Chief Economist Dan O'Brien on Apple and state aid[30] and coverage on research by Professor Frank Barry on the implications of a change in the US corporation tax system for Ireland.

As of April 2024[update], the Director General and IIEA staff are overseen by a Board of 14 Directors (in alphabetical order):[36] (†) Chairperson (‡) Secretary (Δ) Treasurer As of April 2024[update], the IIEA also listed a number of Honorary Positions:[37] Patron Michael D. Higgins President of Ireland Fellows: Tony Brown, Pat Cox, Marie Cross, Helen Donoghue, Paul Gallagher, Eamon Gilmore, Katherine Meenan, Pádraig Murphy Comité d’Honneur: Enda Kenny, John Bruton, David Byrne, Brian Cowen, Pat Cox, Ray MacSharry, Charles McCreevy, Michael O’Kennedy, Mary Robinson, Mary McAleese, Bertie Ahern and Máire Geoghegan-Quinn Honorary Life Members: Adrian Burke, Professor Patrick Keatinge, Derry O‘Hegarty, Dr Con Power, Dr David Williamson and Geraldine Byrne Nason In January 2018, the Irish Times reported that the IIEA had asked the Department of Foreign Affairs in 2017 for €250,000 per annum to set up a new "Brexit Hub" office in Merrion Square to "act as a forum for sharing well-informed discussion on Brexit strategies".