Clare Byrne

And again, if you're on your own and that's the only holiday you could go on,

You stay away from them and find someone else.

You can't escape someone on a bus.

The Clare Byrne Show on Newstalk.

With Aviva Insurance.

The Clare Byrne Show with Aviva Insurance.

Weekday mornings at 9 on Newstalk.

Conversation that counts.

Do we really understand Ireland's place in the European Union or even how the EU really works?

Well, joining me now is former ambassador to the European Union, the UK and Italy, Bobby McDonagh.

Hello, Bobby.

You're very welcome.

You've written this guide, The European Union in 12 Objects.

And what you're trying to do is demystify the European Union.

Why 12 Objects, firstly?

But do you feel that, you know, perhaps people feel that, that it is boring?

Or did you come from this more of a place that you feel the notion of the European Union perhaps is under threat or the value that people see it brings to their lives is something that they're questioning at times?

People get frustrated, don't they?

And recent examples include the conflict in the Middle East when America went into Iran.

It took a while for the EU to react and respond to that and to tell us what they thought about it.