The ICEL Competition Law Conference 2026, organized by the Irish Centre for European Law in partnership with A&L Goodbody, is scheduled for March 4, 2026, at A&L Goodbody's offices in Dublin. This annual event convenes judges, practitioners, and regulators to discuss significant developments in Irish and EU competition law.
The conference will cover key topics such as the European Commission's current competition agenda, recent developments in the Court of Justice of the European Union, lessons from major cartel enforcement cases like the Bus Cartel case, the operation of the Competition (Amendment) Act 2022, dawn raids and enforcement powers, collective damages actions, and foreign direct investment screening. The program includes expert-led panel discussions and interactive roundtable sessions.
Notable speakers include Alan McCarthy (A&L Goodbody), Maureen O’Neill (ComReg, Chief Adjudicator), Pedro Caro de Sousa (Commission Legal Service), Bernadette Quigley SC (Bar of Ireland), Tony McGillicuddy SC (Bar of Ireland), and The Hon. Ms Justice Nuala Butler (Court of Appeal). The event offers networking opportunities and is relevant for solicitors, barristers, in-house counsel, economists, regulators, and professionals interested in competition and consumer protection law.
Attendees can earn 5 CPD points in the general/legal knowledge category. Tickets are available with discounts for ICEL members and students/trainees/pupils.
Speakers(26)
Alan McCarthy
Partner at A&L Goodbody
Alan McCarthy is a Partner at A&L Goodbody and served as the Conference Co-Chair for the ICEL Competition Law Conference 2026.
Alan Scarlett
Official at CCPC
Alan Scarlett is an official at the CCPC and chaired Roundtable II on merger control, investments in critical infrastructure, and FDI screening.
Anna-Marie Curran
Partner at A&L Goodbody
Anna-Marie Curran is a Partner at A&L Goodbody and spoke on no poach agreements during Roundtable III.
Barry Doherty SC
Senior Counsel at Bar of Ireland
Barry Doherty SC is a Senior Counsel at the Bar of Ireland and chaired Roundtable IV on practical problems and challenges.
Bernadette Quigley SC
Senior Counsel at Bar of Ireland
Bernadette Quigley SC is a Senior Counsel at the Bar of Ireland and discussed developments in the CJEU and GCEU during Panel I.
Brian Kennedy SC
Chief Adjudicator at CCPC
Brian Kennedy SC is the Chief Adjudicator at the CCPC and discussed preparing for the new adjudication procedure during Panel II.
Catherine Derrig
Partner at McCann FitzGerald
Catherine Derrig is a Partner at McCann FitzGerald and discussed collective damages actions during Roundtable III.
Ciarán Toland SC
Co-Chair at ICEL
Ciarán Toland SC is the Co-Chair of ICEL and delivered the closing remarks at the conference.
Damien Ryan
Partner at A&L Goodbody
Damien Ryan is a Partner at A&L Goodbody and chaired Roundtable I on future challenges of cross-border enforcement of competition law.
Dervla Broderick
Professional at A&L Goodbody
Dervla Broderick is a professional at A&L Goodbody and served as a rapporteur during Roundtable IV.
Dr Vincent Power SC
Senior Counsel at A&L Goodbody
Dr Vincent Power SC is a Senior Counsel at A&L Goodbody and discussed developments in Irish merger control during Roundtable II.
Emily Neill BL
Barrister at Bar Library of Northern Ireland; Bar of Ireland; Blackstone Chambers
Emily Neill BL is a barrister affiliated with the Bar Library of Northern Ireland, the Bar of Ireland, and Blackstone Chambers, and participated in Roundtable I.
Jessica Egan
Official at CCPC
Jessica Egan is an official at the CCPC and chaired Roundtable III on key themes and possible future developments in competition law.
John Meade SC
Senior Counsel at John Meade Solicitors
John Meade SC is a Senior Counsel at John Meade Solicitors and contributed to Roundtable I on cross-border enforcement challenges.
Kate Egan BL
Barrister at Bar of Ireland
Kate Egan BL is a barrister at the Bar of Ireland and discussed dawn raids during Roundtable III.
Kate McKenna
Partner at Matheson
Kate McKenna is a Partner at Matheson and discussed FDI screening during Roundtable II.
Maureen O’Neill
Chief Adjudicator at ComReg
Maureen O’Neill is the Chief Adjudicator at ComReg and chaired Panel I on Recent Developments and Trends at the conference.
Pedro Caro de Sousa
Legal Service Member at European Commission
Pedro Caro de Sousa is a member of the European Commission's Legal Service and spoke on the Commission's agenda during Panel I.
Professor Imelda Maher
Professor at Sutherland School of Law, UCD
Professor Imelda Maher is a Professor at the Sutherland School of Law, UCD, and chaired the keynote session on GDPR, Competition Law, and the DMA.
Professor Orla Lynskey
Professor at UCL Laws
Professor Orla Lynskey is a Professor at UCL Laws and delivered the keynote address on the relationship between GDPR, Competition Law, and the DMA.
Ronan Dunne
Partner at Philip Lee
Ronan Dunne is a Partner at Philip Lee and spoke on developments in EU merger control during Roundtable II.
Seán Guerin SC
Chair at Bar Council; Bar of Ireland
Seán Guerin SC is the Chair of the Bar Council and the Bar of Ireland and discussed challenging decisions under the Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 during Panel II.
Stephen Abram
Official at Competition and Markets Authority
Stephen Abram is an official at the Competition and Markets Authority and participated in Roundtable I.
The Hon. Ms Justice Nuala Butler
Judge at Court of Appeal
The Hon. Ms Justice Nuala Butler is a Judge at the Court of Appeal and chaired Panel II on implementing the Competition (Amendment) Act 2022.
The Hon. Sir Peter Roth
Chair and Former President at Competition Appeal Tribunal
The Hon. Sir Peter Roth is the Chair and Former President of the Competition Appeal Tribunal and spoke on establishing competition tribunals during Panel II.
Tony McGillicuddy SC
Senior Counsel at Bar of Ireland
Tony McGillicuddy SC is a Senior Counsel at the Bar of Ireland and presented on the Bus Cartel case and its implications during Panel I.
Event Details
- Date
- March 3, 2026
- Location
- 🇮🇪 Dublin, Ireland
- A&L Goodbody, 25 North Wall Quay, Dublin 1 D01 H104
- Pricing
- Varies by tier
- Audience
- Solicitors, barristers, in-house counsel, economists, regulators, and professionals interested in competition and consumer protection law.
- CLE Credits
- 5 CPD points in the general/legal knowledge category