Carol Baxter, Assistant Secretary General, Dept of Children; Hilkka Becker, Chairperson, International Protection Appeals Tribunal, Tiernan Brady, Global Head of Diversity, Clifford Chance Law Firm; Kathleen Lynch, Former TD and Minister of State

13th October 2021

ACESA hosted a diverse panel of speakers for this evening event.

Speakers

Carol Baxter, Assistant Secretary General, International Protection, Integration and Equality Division, Dept of Children; Hilkka Becker, Chairperson, International Protection Appeals Tribunal. First EU lawyer admitted to the roll of solicitors in Ireland, a ‘new citizen’ since 2015. ACESA Board Member; Tiernan Brady, Global Head of Diversity, Clifford Chance Law Firm. Former marriage equality campaigner in Ireland and Australia; Kathleen Lynch, Former TD and Minister of State.

The speakers each highlighted the importance of diversity in the public sector. They each spoke about their own careers and experience and how they learned of the value of diversity.

Hilkka Becker emphasised how diversity can lead to greater productivity and collaboration in organisations. She mentioned how diverse voices coming together can lead to better ideas. Tiernan Brady spoke about the continuous need for diversity in businesses and a culture of voluntary diversity. He mentioned inclusion and diversity as two goals to keep striving towards. Kathleen Lynch spoke of her own experience as a TD and Minister of state, she spoke of the need to reach out and ensure that diversity was maintained by casting the net as far out as possible. Finally, Carol Baxter underscored the role of leaders and diversity being achieved from the top down.

Pamela Byrne then moderated a wide-ranging discussion between the panel and attendees to explore the issues in terms of diversity that impact on state agencies.