Rule of law pull factor for investment – Matheson
A Matheson event has heard that the rule of law, governance and ESG are increasingly shaping where capital is deployed, how businesses assess risk, and how legislators can create a stable economic and political environment across Europe.
‘Governing for Growth: Rule of Law and ESG as Europe’s Competitive Edge’ was held in partnership with University College Dublin (UCD) in the O’Connor Centre for Learning at UCD (28 May).
Hosted and moderated by businessman Mark Little, the event heard from Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, in a discussion with Attorney General Rossa Fanning SC and Professor Imelda Maher, Sutherland Full Professor of European Law at UCD.
The event also examined Ireland’s upcoming EU Presidency and future legislative and policy changes to the legal system across Europe and Ireland, and what this means for business.
Matheson managing partner Darren Maher said: “The rule of law is not a constraint on business. It is one of the primary reasons that long-term investment comes to Europe and to Ireland.
“For our clients, this is not abstract. Legal certainty, consistency of enforcement and the strength of institutions directly shape where capital is deployed and how risk is priced.”
While ESG carries a regulatory burden, companies approach it strategically, as part of long-term growth and resilience, rather than as a compliance exercise, he said.
Core values
The Minister for Justice said the rule of law and its core values are central to Ireland’s Presidency priorities and to economic stability and growth.
AG Rossa Fanning SC said the strength and independence of Ireland’s judiciary and the integrity of its common law system are fundamental to investor confidence and to Ireland’s continued success in attracting foreign direct investment.
The event formed part of Matheson’s programme of Presidency-linked engagements supporting substantive discussion ahead of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.