The CIPD in Ireland

The legal landscape and how it affects the workplace is constantly evolving. People professionals need targeted, condensed but holistic information on the application of changing legislation and case law. This course is designed as a ‘must attend’ for busy professionals who need to navigate how to best apply Irish employment law principles.

Our 1-day, in-person course, supported by , will run in September and will equip you with up-to-date knowledge and insights to navigate Irish employment law with confidence and precision.

You’ll learn how to:
✓ expand knowledge relating to the latest developments in employment law
✓ appreciate the organisational significance of recent changes
✓ evaluate the impact of legal updates on the topics covered
✓ assess your thinking around recent case law developments, legislation
✓ consider a range of interventions to enable organisation compliance.

Topics covered:
• Addressing disciplinary issues and investigations
• Managing probationary issues
• Dignity and equality in an evolving workplace
• ABCs of protected disclosures

Register your interest → https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=odK0nJblN0eNIKWiUaUAob8FCzt7KMRLmyXW2xBrYtBUMFE5VUFNVTBXNFI0MzZJWUc0OVpSMDdQSCQlQCN0PWcu&route=shorturl

Wrapping up another amazing CIPD in Ireland Employment Law Conference! 🎉 It’s been an incredible day filled with insightful discussions and valuable networking.

The afternoon sessions had a common thread of a changing mindset with regards to the workforce - be it rethinking restructure or retirement.

🔄 Michelle Mc Donagh, Chief Client Officer at Adare Trusted People Partners, delivered a practical session on getting continuous workforce restructuring right. A key theme was the importance of a mindset shift and recognising that restructuring is not inherently negative, but often a necessary part of keeping pace and enabling growth.

Followed by chair Katie Ridge from Adare Trusted People Partners who led an insightful panel discussion with Ciara Turner, Woodie's and Antoinette Cunningham, former An Garda Síochána on rethinking retirement and a shift towards a capability-based, inclusive workforce. With 1 in every 5 workers is over 55 years of age in Ireland the conversation around age inclusive workforce planning and longer working lives has been accelerated.

Then the launch of the CIPD Trust in Ireland that marks a proud milestone for the people profession and a meaningful step forward for every HR and people professional working to shape better, inclusive workplaces across this country. The discussion chaired by Sally Eley, CIPD Trust and panellists Fiona Sharkey, McInnes Dunne Murphy LLP, Jacob Harmon from Tosú and Ray Power, Prison Reform and Mental Health Advocate, brought that reality to life by sharing moving personal stories and practical steps employers can take when hiring people with convictions.

⚖️ In the closing keynote, Employment law in motion: insights from inside the courts, Peter Ward SC brought the day’s themes together, drawing on his extensive career in employment law.
Sharing practical insights on avoiding prolonged and costly disputes, he reinforced the critical role HR professionals play at the frontline of dispute management.

And that's a wrap! 🎉 A massive thank you to all our speakers and panellists. And a big shout all to all our exhibitors and sponsors for your continued support.

What a morning full of learning at the CIPD in Ireland Employment Law Conference 2026! 🎉

So many people professionals have come together to navigate the ever-changing employment law landscape here in Ireland. A huge thank you to our chair for the day, Meg Dunphy, for keeping us all on track, and Country Director Alison Hodgson, who’s welcome this morning truly set the tone of a purposeful, grounded, and forward-looking day of shared learning.

Here's a flavour of what we've covered in the morning sessions:

🇪🇺 Yvonne White shared a clear and practical perspective on why the Irish Presidency matters, both politically and operationally, for employers and the people profession.

⚖️ Kieran Mulvey brought us through the evolution of the Workplace Relations Commission and Ireland's employment law system. The 2015 reforms marked a real step forward in delivering fair and expedited adjudication, and the shifting environment around collective bargaining remains firmly in focus.

💶 Katie Ridge explored the EU Pay Transparency Directive and what it means for employers in practice. While transposing legislation may not land by 07 June 2026, organisations need to start preparing now.

🤖 Maria McAnearney from KPMG walked us through what the EU AI Act means in practice for employers and people professionals. If you use or sell AI in the EU, you need to ensure you’re adhering to the act.

🎙️ Following a rich and candid conversation about the shifting employer/employee relationship and the challenges faced by senior leaders today about the toughest employment decisions leaders are facing today. Chaired by Derek McKay of Adare Trusted People Partners, with panellists Anita Walsh from Entegro, Niall Eyre, former Intel and Debbie Low, The Convention Centre Dublin (The CCD).

⚖️ The last speaker of the morning, Paul D Maier, Barrister-at-Law, delivered a highly practical session exploring the question: Employee or Entrepreneur? The discussion unpacked the key principles used to determine employment status.

And we’re just getting started – stay tuned, there’s plenty more to come.

It’s today! The CIPD in Ireland Employment Law Conference 2026, supported by Adare Trusted People Partners, has arrived! Here’s your inspirational journey for the day:

🇪🇺 Start the morning with insights into what the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU could mean for employers and workplaces.
📊 Take stock of the evolving employee relations landscape and the trends leaders need to be ready for.
💬 Dive into Pay Transparency and the practical implications organisations can’t afford to ignore.
☕ Connect with peers and colleagues over coffee and conversation.
🤖 Explore the EU AI Act and what responsible AI adoption means for the workplace.
🎤 Hear expert perspectives on the toughest employment law decisions leaders are navigating right now.
⚖️ Unpack the complexities of classifying workers in a rapidly changing world of work.
🍽️ Use lunch as an opportunity to build new connections and continue the conversation.
🔄 Learn how organisations can get continuous workforce restructuring right while balancing business and people priorities.
🌟 Rethink retirement and explore the untapped potential of experienced workers in today’s workforce.
🤝 Join an important discussion on hiring people with convictions and what inclusive recruitment looks like in practice.
📚 Finish the day with a keynote exploring employment law in motion and what lies ahead for employers and HR leaders.

✨ Looking forward to a day of learning, discussion and meaningful connections.

It's tomorrow! The CIPD in Ireland Employment Law Conference 2026.

Employment law is changing fast. This is your opportunity to stay informed, reduce risk and make better decisions with confidence.

Apart from hearing from leading legal experts, senior practitioners and policy leaders, make the most of your experience by visiting our headline sponsor Adare Trusted People Partners and connecting with our premium exhibitor HRLocker and networking exhibitors: SkillsTrust, HSF Health Plan, Remote, DeCare, The Mediators' Institute of Ireland, Workplace Relations Commission, Work Permits Ireland.

Visit their stands at the Aviva to explore insights, services, and opportunities that could make a real difference to you and your organisation!

At the CIPD in Ireland, we are surrounded by a fantastic network of HR community partners and organisations that share our vision for raising the standard of the people profession in Ireland. From HR and employment law consultancy to workplace relations, HR technology, employee benefits, wellbeing, mediation and immigration permits, there is something for everyone on the day.

If you're going to miss tomorrow, keep an eye on our events page — there is always something valuable coming up across our partner network: https://www.cipd.org/ie/get-involved/events/

Professional recognition matters. 🏅

CIPD membership reflects your commitment to high standards and continuous development—helping you build credibility in your role.

Renew before 1 July to maintain your professional recognition: https://www.cipd.org/ie/membership/member-area/renewals/

Finding clear answers at work has never been more important, or more challenging - and as AI tools become more common, people professionals are rightly questioning what information they can rely on when decisions matter most.

🔸 Using trusted, up-to-date CIPD content from across our Knowledge hub, the tool helps you find relevant sources more easily so you can apply evidence quickly and appropriately in practice.

🔸 CIPD Buddy AI is an AI-powered member benefit designed to support your work and studies with confidence.

From expert support and CIPD Buddy AI to learning, mentoring and practical tools, our member benefits are designed to support you as you grow.

Find out how CIPD membership gives you greater clarity in day-to-day decisions, while helping you build stronger judgement throughout your career.

Learn more: https://www.cipd.org/ie/membership/member-benefits

The latest CIPD HR Practices in Ireland report, produced in partnership with the Kemmy School of Business at UL at the University of Limerick, is now available.

This year’s report explores how organisations and people professionals are responding to a demanding operating environment and the priorities shaping the profession today. AI disruption, ongoing skills shortages, changing approaches to hybrid working, and rising expectations around wellbeing and inclusion mean that HR’s strategic role has never been more important.

The report provides clear recommendations and practical guidance to help organisations take action.

Check the full report here: https://www.cipd.org/ie/knowledge/reports/hr-practices-ireland-survey/