In-conversation with Commissioner Michael McGrath

We are delighted to invite IoD Ireland members to a special In-conversation event with Commissioner Michael McGrath.

Michael McGrath assumed the role of EU Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection on 1 December 2024, as a member of the European Commission under the leadership of President Ursula von der Leyen. As a member of the College of Commissioners, Commissioner McGrath contributes to delivering on the Commission’s overall political priorities, set out in the Political Guidelines underpinning the European Commission 2024 – 2029.

In this exclusive event, Commissioner McGrath will outline the aims and ambitions of his portfolio, as well as addressing the EU competitiveness compass, and the current geopolitical climate. He will also address changes and updates to legislation that business leaders should be mindful to, including, corporate sustainability due diligence and data protection. We hope you can join us for what should be a thought provoking and interesting session.

This exclusive event will take place from 12:30pm to 2:30pm, on Thursday, 26^th June 2025 at the InterContinental Dublin Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.

The Lunch Bites @ the IoD Ireland series is sponsored by Diligent. Enjoy exclusive access to this event as a key benefit reserved for IoD Ireland members.

Michael McGrath assumed the role of EU Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection on 1 December 2024, as a member of the European Commission under the leadership of President Ursula von der Leyen.

As a member of the College of Commissioners, Commissioner McGrath contributes to delivering on the Commission’s overall political priorities, set out in the Political Guidelines underpinning the European Commission 2024 – 2029.

Commissioner McGrath has specific responsibility for upholding the rule of law, protecting democracy and fundamental rights, tackling disinformation, improving criminal justice cooperation and strengthening the rights of victims of crime, and improving EU competitiveness through the reform of company law and civil law. Commissioner McGrath has lead responsibility for consumer protection policy for almost 450 million consumers in the EU and works to ensure full enforcement of the General Data Protection Regulation and promoting trusted data flows with international partners.

Commissioner McGrath has been appointed by President von der Leyen as Chairperson of the Commission Project Group on Democracy, and is a member of the Project Groups on Artificial Intelligence; Startups and Scaleups; European Savings and Investment Union; and European internal Security.

Prior to this, Commissioner McGrath served as Ireland’s Minister for Finance from 2022 to 2024, as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform from 2020 to 2022, and was an elected member of the Irish Parliament between 2007 to 2024. As Minister for Finance, he had a key role in decisions made across government, and was Ireland’s representative at the Eurogroup and Ecofin meetings of European Finance Ministers, and was Governor of a number of international bodies that Ireland is a member of, including the European Investment Bank, the IMF, the World Bank, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Commissioner McGrath holds a Bachelor of Commerce from University College Cork, is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has undertaken studies with the London School of Economics and Political Science. He held senior roles in both the private and public sectors before entering politics full-time.

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Is this eligible for CPD? 

• Dimension Covered: Strategy
• Eligible Hours: 1 hour of CPD

This session may be eligible for other professional body CPD. Check with your relevant professional body. 

How do I attend? 

To reserve your space, click the ‘Book Now’ button.  Once registered, we’ll send an email to confirm your booking with the option to add the event to your calendar. 

The event will take place in InterContinental Dublin Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.

Want to connect with fellow members?  

Before the event, you will receive a list of the names and companies of all the attendees. 

Take the opportunity to connect. 

•    Reach out via the IoD Members’ LinkedIn Group.
•    Email the Events team we will make this happen on your behalf. 

For GDPR reasons, we cannot provide contact details on the attendee list. Photography will also be taken at the event for marketing and promotional purposes. For further information, please contact the Communications team. 

Questions? 
Get in touch with Anna Hannigan, Events Manager, IoD Ireland.