Ireland’s role in protecting EU values to strengthen the international legal order. Keynote address to be delivered by Michael D. Higgins.

The Irish Centre for European Law (“ICEL”) is pleased to announce that it will host its Annual Human Rights Law Conference in partnership with the Irish Centre for Human Rights, University of Galway on Thursday 15 October 2026 from 11am-5pm at the Michael D. Higgins Auditorium, University of Galway.

This Conference is an EU Presidency Associated Event and is being part funded by the Communicating for Europe Initiative.

This Conference will be themed “Ireland’s role in protecting EU values to strengthen the international legal order” and provide a forum for discussion of EU Values, with a particular focus on human rights as enshrined under Article 2 TEU and in the Charter of Fundamental Rights. The Conference will explore and respond to the work undertaken by Ireland for the protection and promotion of EU values during its Presidency, in the face of the current global uncertainty and weakening of the international rules based order.

We are honoured to announce that Former President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, will deliver the keynote address centred on the core theme.

Following the keynote address, it is proposed that there will be three moderated panel discussions on the following thematic areas:

(1) Panel 1: Upholding the Rule of Law and EU Values in today’s rapidly changing and evolving geopolitical context. Ireland’s Role in Shaping and Strengthening EU Values and Equality (with a focus on human rights including minority rights).

(2) Panel 2: Human rights as a cornerstone in shaping Ireland’s EU Presidency and Beyond.

(3) Panel 3: Ireland’s Role in Shaping and Strengthening EU Values and Equality (with a focus on human rights including minority rights).

We are delighted to announce the following esteemed panel speakers and moderators:

(i) Professor Siobhán Mullally, University of Galway;

(ii) Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh, Barrister, Matrix Chambers;

(iii) Galway Mayor, Councillor Helen Ogbu;

(iv) Noeline Blackwell, Human Rights Lawyer and Activist;

(v) Professor Laurent Pech, University College Dublin;

(vi) Sarah Flood, First Secretary for Human Rights at the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations in Geneva;

(v) Lorna Hayes, Deputy CEO of European Movement Ireland;

(vi) Professor Ciara Smyth, University of Galway;

(vii) Barry Ward, TD and Chair of the Committee on European Union Affairs; and

(viii) Fred Logue, Managing Partner of FP Logue LLP, Solicitors;

(ix) Senator Patricia Stephenson (Moderator);

(x) Dr Gearóid Ó Cuinn, Founder and Director of the Global Legal Action Network;

(xi) Ciarán Toland SC, Deputy President of ICEL;

(xii) Dr Andrew Forde, Dublin City University;

(xiii) Niamh Ní Charra, Archivist, University of Galway; and

(xiv) Emer Lyons, Managing Solicitor, Lyons-Skelly Solicitors, Galway.

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If you have any queries about this Conference, please email icel@tcd.ie.

There are 5 CPD points available for this Conference.

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