Hosted and moderated by journalist and entrepreneur, Mark Little, and attended by senior leaders from the legal, policy and business communities, the event included an address by the Justice minister Jim O’Callaghan, who also took part in a wide-ranging panel discussion with Attorney General Rossa Fanning SC, and Professor Imelda Maher, Sutherland full professor of European law at UCD.

Drawing on the theme of sustainability, the event also examined Ireland’s upcoming EU presidency and discussed the ongoing and future legislative and policy changes to the legal system across Europe and Ireland, and what this means for business.

Matheson managing partner, Darren Maher, said: “The rule of law is not a constraint on business.  It is one of the primary reasons that long-term investment comes to Europe and to Ireland.  For our clients, this is not abstract.  Legal certainty, consistency of enforcement and the strength of institutions directly shape where capital is deployed and how risk is priced.

“The same is increasingly true of ESG.  While we recognise the regulatory burden which ESG regulation brings, the companies that are managing it well are approaching it strategically, as part of how they secure long-term growth and resilience, rather than as a compliance exercise.”

Mr O’Callaghan delivered a keynote address highlighting the rule of law and core values as central to Ireland’s presidency priorities and to economic stability and growth.

Mr Fanning pointed to the strength and independence of Ireland’s judiciary and the integrity of its common law system as fundamental to investor confidence and to Ireland’s continued success in attracting foreign direct investment.