The two-day event, taking place under the title “Defending Democracy: Legal Responses to Emerging Threats”, is the first initiative of the newly established Centre for Justice and Law Reform.

The research centre has been established by the Law Society to produce in-depth research in the areas of access to justice, fundamental rights and democratic norms.

Former CIA director John Brennan and the UK’s commissioner for countering extremism, Robin Simcox, will speak at the event, taking place in Dublin today and tomorrow.

The summer school will feature interviews, panel discussions and keynote speeches on protecting democracy in the digital age, countering the rise of extremism and public protests in democratic societies.

Other speakers will include Michael McGrath, the EU commissioner for democracy, justice, the rule of law and consumer protection; Dr Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, the minister for health; Rossa Fanning SC, the attorney general of Ireland; Ms Justice Marie Baker, chairperson of the Electoral Commission and a former Supreme Court judge; Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, international human rights lawyer; and Nóirín O’Sullivan, former Garda commissioner.

Law Society president Eamon Harrington said: “The summer school gives us an opportunity to bring together leading voices from Ireland and across the world.

“People in Ireland are fortunate to live in a functioning and stable democracy, but events around the world have shown us that we cannot take democracy for granted.

“In other parts of the world, some not so far from us, democracy is under attack and is at risk.

“That’s why we’re putting a spotlight on democracy during our two-day event.”