About this event
Join us for a deep dive into the latest developments in employment law!
Employment law in motion: Strengthening resilience, preparing for risk
Staying up to date with employment law can be challenging in a rapidly evolving EU and Irish legislative landscape. The annual CIPD Employment Law Conference, supported by Adare Trusted People Partners, takes place on Wednesday 27 May 2026 at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, and is designed to help busy people professionals cut through complexity and act with confidence.
This essential full-day conference reflects the reality that employment law is in motion at a time of significant change across Ireland and the EU, requiring organisations to continuously strengthen resilience in how they interpret and apply legal developments, while proactively preparing for emerging risks. Through real-world insights and practical case examples, it will help attendees benchmark their approach, assess their current compliance position, and set clear strategic priorities for 2026 and beyond.
With a strong focus on legislative change, regulatory risk, and compliance obligations, the programme goes beyond legal theory to deliver practical, actionable insights that support confident, evidence-based decision-making in a complex and evolving environment.
Hear from leading experts from CIPD and Adare Trusted People Partners, alongside experienced people and employee relations practitioners and forward-thinking employers, sharing timely insights on key developments and how organisations are responding in practice. The conference also explores how strong legal foundations, combined with confident day-to-day practice, can enable progressive people approaches, supporting sustainable organisational culture and a positive employee experience, with opportunities to benchmark approaches with peers.
Join this collaborative forum for a full day of learning, discussion and networking with peers. Leave with practical tools, shared insight, and the confidence to apply your knowledge effectively, strengthen resilience, manage risk, and future-proof your people strategies for the year ahead.
Programme
Morning sessions
Welcome
- Alison Hodgson, Country Director, CIPD
- Meg Dunphy, Policy and Engagement Lead, CIPD (MC)
What Ireland's EU Presidency means for Employment Law
- Yvonne White, Assistant Secretary General, Department Enterprise Trade and Employment
Ireland's Employer Relations landscape
- Kieran Mulvey, Chairperson, Adare Trusted People Partners (former Director General, Workplace Relations Commission)
Pay Transparency: The known unknowns
- Katie Ridge, Barrister, Head of Employer Relations, Adare Trusted People Partners
Morning networking break
EU AI Act in practice for Organisations and the People Profession
The toughest employment decisions leaders are facing today
Panel:
- Anita Walsh, Director of People and Culture, Entegro
- Debbie Low, Director of People and Culture, The Convention Centre Dublin
- Niall Eyre, Global HR Leader, former Intel
- Derek McKay, Director, Adare Trusted People Partners (chair)
To be or not to be? Navigating risk and compliance in worker status
- Paul D Maier BL, Barrister-at-Law, Member of The Bar of Ireland
Lunch and networking break
Afternoon Sessions
Getting continuous workforce restructuring right
- Michelle McDonagh, Chief Client Officer, Adare Trusted People Partners
Maximising an untapped workforce through rethinking retirement law
Panel:
- Ciara Turner, HR Director, Woodies
- Katie Ridge, Barrister, Head of Employer Relations, Adare Trusted People Partners (chair)
- More to be announced
Afternoon networking break
Hiring people with convictions in practice; launching the CIPD Trust in Ireland
Panel:
- Fiona Sharkey, Partner, McInnes Dunne Murphy
- Jacob Harmon, Operation Manager, Tosu
- Ray Power, Service user, Tosu
- Sally Eley, Head of the CIPD Trust (chair)
- More to be announced
Closing Keynote
Employment law in motion Insights from inside the Courts
- Peter Ward, Senior Counsel, Employment Bar Association
For group bookings of 4 or more, contact events@cipd.ie .
Cancellations: Cancellations MUST be notified in writing.
No refund can be made for cancellations received after 13 May 2026. A substitution may be made at any time. CIPD reserves the right to cancel or reschedule the event or change its associated programme or substitute a speaker. In the event of cancellation, liability is limited to the amount of registration only.
Please Note:
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