McDowell Purcell summer seminar hears from Gsoc chairperson

The Public & Regulatory Summer Evening Seminar at the Merrion Hotel was titled “Without Fear or Favour: The tension between accountability and independence in the Public Sector”.

Barry Magee, associate at McDowell Purcell, addressed the audience on the tension which can often arise for public sector bodies between the dual requirements of maintaining their independence whilst being fully accountable for the discharge of their functions.

Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring explored the different aspects of accountability, and focused on how Gsoc provides for accountability whilst protecting its independence and the challenges it faces in ensuring accountability to its various stakeholders.

Managing partner JP McDowell said: “The evening was a great success. We were delighted to welcome Justice Mary Ellen Ring as our guest speaker – she provided terrific insight into challenges GSOC faces in ensuring accountability to all of its stakeholders, while at the same time trying to protect its statutory independence.

“This challenge is one faced by the majority of statutory bodies, and so her viewpoint has really resonated with last night’s audience.”

The presentation was followed by a drinks and canapés reception in the Garden Terrace.