CEA Conference 2024
CEA Conference 2024
The CEA’s 2024 Conference took place on 17th October 2024, in the historic surroundings of The Honorable Society of King’s Inns, Dublin.
The conference was opened by Dara Calleary, TD, Minister of State for Trade Promotion and Digital Transformation, who spoke of his ongoing support for the CEA, including an increase in funding in the recent Budget, and outlined his policy priorities, including the Companies (Corporate Governance, Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Bill 2024, which is currently progressing through the Oireachtas.
Mr. Justice Brian Murray, Judge of the Supreme Court, spoke on ‘The price of litigation: legal costs and third-party funding’ to the fully attended conference.
The 160 attendees also heard from distinguished members of the legal profession, the Secretary General of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, a representative from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, leading members of the Irish accountancy profession, and of the UK’s Insolvency Service and Serious Fraud Office respectively.
Speakers’ addresses covered diverse subject matter relevant to all aspects of the CEA’S remit, including the prosecution and sentencing of corporate offences, the enforcement of company directors’ duties, challenges facing Boards arising from the sustainability agenda, and enforcement perspectives and insights from the UK.
Delivering the opening address, Minister of State for Trade Promotion and Digital Transformation Dara Calleary, TD, said:
‘The CEA is now firmly established and firmly embedded in Ireland’s corporate ecosystem. It is an agency which Government has resourced to deliver effectively and efficiently on its mandate, most notably through its strong advocacy programme providing relevant and accessible information on matters of company law and ensuring compliance with company law through proportionate enforcement where necessary.
The Companies ( Corporate Governance, Enforcement and Regulatory Provisions) Bill 2024 which I am progressing through the Houses of the Oireachtas, will strengthen the State’s capability to investigate company law breaches by equipping the CEA with increased powers to investigate evidence of corporate wrongdoing. It will facilitate operational and administrative efficiencies through the streamlining of existing processes, ensuring that the CEA is in receipt of the most up-to-date information at the earliest possible time. It widens the statutory gateway for the sharing of information between competent authorities, assisting both the CEA and the listed authorities in the performance of their functions.’
Ian Drennan, Chief Executive Officer of the CEA, said:
‘When one looks at the calibre of the speakers on the programme, it is unsurprising that this conference has been sold out for months. We are deeply grateful to our speakers - all of whom are authorities in their chosen fields of endeavour - who have been so generous with their time and expertise.
Encouragement is every bit as important as enforcement and it is a key component of our strategy. This conference is a core element of our advocacy programme. It is a means by which we connect with company directors and those who advise them. It is a means by which we raise awareness of the CEA, its statutory mandate, and of the information and guidance that we make available in order to assist company directors to comply with the obligations that go hand in hand with availing of the privilege of limited liability.’
The audience included company directors, representatives of listed companies, policy makers, fellow regulatory and enforcement bodies, and renowned figures from the legal and accountancy professions.
The CEA wishes to thank all the speakers for making the conference both informative and thought provoking.
Pictured: Michael Dillon, Director of Legal, CEA, Fallon Judge, Director of Civil Enforcement, CEA, Mr. Justice Brian Murray, Judge of the Supreme Court, Ian Drennan, Chief Executive Officer, CEA, Dara Calleary, TD, Minister of State for Trade Promotion and Digital Transformation and Cathy Shivnan, Director of Insolvency Supervision, CEA.
Read the CEA conference 2024 press release.
Speakers’ papers and presentations can be downloaded below.
CEA Conference Agenda
CEA conference- Ian Drennan welcome
CEA conference- Dara Calleary, TD, Minister of State for Trade Promotion and Digital Transformation
CEA conference -Mr. Justice Brian Murray, Judge of the Supreme Court- no notes
CEA conference- James Dwyer SC
CEA conference- Clíona Kimber SC
CEA conference- Declan Hughes Secretary General of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
CEA conference- Sinead Donovan
CEA conference- Derarca Dennis
CEA conference- Henry Matthews
CEA conference- Dean Beale and Dave Magrath
CEA conference- Emma Luxton- no notes
Video clips and photographs of CEA Conference 2024 below. Click to view