Dr Róisín O’Shea, Chair of the Irish Professional Mediators’ Organisation was delighted to attend at the Annual Dinner of the Ireland branch of CIArb on November 3rd as the guest of Peter O’Malley, Chair of the Irish Branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Peter has a keen interest in arbitration and mediation, and is a member of IPMO's Civil & Commercial committee. 

The Guest of Honour at the event was Bertie Ahern, Former Taoiseach, who spoke on the impact of the Good Friday Agreement and the importance of using mediation to resolve conflict. He noted that the Mediation Act 2017 provided for the establishment of the Mediation Council of Ireland and questioned the delay in establishing that Council.

The Council is intended to promote public awareness of mediation, such that there is a greater use of mediation for civil disputes, in line with public policy and as set out in the framework of the Act.

Commenting on Mr Ahern’s querying of the delay in establishing the Mediation Council, Dr O’Shea said,

“ The IPMO is keen to progress the establishment of that Council and with the assistance of the Department of Justice is working with the other prospective nominees to make that happen. As an organisation promoting the profession of mediation, we welcome the Department’s support, and we look forward to the day when mediation is considered the first and foremost forum to resolve any amenable dispute”.

Also in attendance at the event were IPMO Board and Committee members including Shane Dempsey (Treasurer), Ercus Stewart SC (Board Member),  and Bill Holohan SC (Member of our Civil & Commercial Committee).