Robin Barnett

Robin Barnett

Former Ambassador to Ireland, Dublin

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5th July 2012 Dublin, Ireland

Robin Barnett

by Robin Barnett

Former Ambassador to Ireland, Dublin

Before the Olympic Flame is lit

A guest post by Senator Andrzej Person (Polish Olympic Attaché), marking three weeks to go to the London 2012 Olympics. It’s only three weeks until the referee blows his whistle to signal the start of the Olympic Football Tournament in Cardiff on 26 July. The next day, Friday 27 July, the eyes of the world will focus […]

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15th June 2012 Dublin, Ireland

Robin Barnett

by Robin Barnett

Former Ambassador to Ireland, Dublin

The UK and the Eurozone crisis

Here in Poland, public attention is understandably focussed on EURO 2012, not the Eurozone crisis. Poland’s 1-1 draw with Russia was a classic game and leaves open a real chance for Poland to qualify for the Quarter Finals. But the tournament will end on 1 July while the Eurozone crisis with its continuing impact on […]

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8th June 2012 Dublin, Ireland

Robin Barnett

by Robin Barnett

Former Ambassador to Ireland, Dublin

Time for non football fans to take a holiday

Euro2012 fever is upon us. I am writing this from Krakow, where a large and enthusiastic crowd is watching the England team’s open training session at the Hutnik stadium in Nowa Huta. They are great Ambassadors for their country. It is a far cry from my first visit here in 1983 during John Paul II’s […]

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6th June 2012 Dublin, Ireland

Robin Barnett

by Robin Barnett

Former Ambassador to Ireland, Dublin

GREAT weekend indeed!

The Diamond Jubilee long weekend here in Poland presented many different faces of the UK. First, we showed our tolerant, diverse face and our commitment to equality by participating in the Gay Pride parade. We were very visible indeed. Polish TV was very keen to understand why I was there. In addition to upholding the […]

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1st June 2012 Dublin, Ireland

Robin Barnett

by Robin Barnett

Former Ambassador to Ireland, Dublin

(British) Food is GREAT!

Poland has always been a problem for my waistline, as I have a real weakness for dishes like pierogi, żurek and a well made bigos. The ingredients for these and many other dishes can now be found in most British supermarkets thanks to the thriving Polish community in the UK. But now British food and […]

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8th May 2012 Dublin, Ireland

Robin Barnett

by Robin Barnett

Former Ambassador to Ireland, Dublin

Those magnificent men in their flying machines

On Sunday, I realised a lifelong ambition. I flew for the first time in an open biplane, a 1939 Tiger Moth, owned by a great friend of the Embassy Jacek Mainka. Not only was it an extraordinary experience to fly in a 73-year-old aircraft, but it was also a poignant moment since my father learnt […]

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20th April 2012 Dublin, Ireland

Robin Barnett

by Robin Barnett

Former Ambassador to Ireland, Dublin

Space and beyond

For me, space was always about Star Trek or Apollo rockets. I am old enough to remember Neil Armstrong walking on the moon in 1969. This month we are celebrating the golden anniversary of “50 Years of the UK in Space.” Ariel-1 was the world’s first international satellite. It was US-built with UK instruments. It […]

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17th April 2012 Dublin, Ireland

Robin Barnett

by Robin Barnett

Former Ambassador to Ireland, Dublin

Let’s deregulate!

Deregulation or making it easier to do business is key to a successful growth agenda. I recently joined a panel at SGH (Warsaw School of Economics) on the important theme of deregulation. Governments everywhere are regularly criticised for imposing too many regulatory burdens on business, especially small business, and thereby hampering growth. The SGH discussion […]

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4th April 2012 Dublin, Ireland

Robin Barnett

by Robin Barnett

Former Ambassador to Ireland, Dublin

Happy Easter: Time for a short break!

It has been a busy few weeks. A few highlights. Working with some great British companies particularly during the visit of Susan Haird (Deputy CEO of UKTI). There are some big opportunities, not least in the energy field where there is great interest in exploiting the shale gas and civil nuclear opportunities and in infrastructure, […]

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About Robin Barnett

Robin Barnett was British Ambassador to Ireland from 2016 to 2020. Between 2011 - 2016 he held the post of British Ambassador to Poland and his career has previously concentrated…

Robin Barnett was British Ambassador to Ireland from 2016 to 2020. Between 2011 - 2016 he held the post of British Ambassador to Poland and his career has previously concentrated on Central and Eastern Europe and multi-lateral diplomacy.

Robin began his career in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1980 as Desk Officer for Indonesia and the Philippines. In addition to Ireland, he has been posted to Vienna, New York and Bucharest, where he was Ambassador. He has also served as Director of UK Visas and Managing Director of the Business Group in UK Trade and Investment

Robin studied Law at Birmingham University. He has a son and a stepson and is a great admirer of Sir Alex Ferguson and a supporter of Manchester United.