Taoiseach Leo Varadkar praised Arthur Cox’s leadership as he launched the Dublin-based law firm’s LGBT+ network yesterday.

Mr Varadkar, thanking those who had helped to make the new network - called “alliance” - become reality, said managing partner Brian O’Gorman “had shown real leadership in supporting this initiative”.

alliance will provide advice and support to LGBT+ employees and their allies, organise internal and external networking and social events, support recruitment initiatives and support the wider LGBT+ community.

Arthur Cox believes it is the first Irish law firm to set up such a network.

Mr O’Gorman said: “We are delighted to have the Taoiseach here today to launch the alliance network.”

He added: “Establishing a formal LGBT+ network further demonstrates our commitment to diversity and inclusion most importantly to our colleagues, to future graduates and hires and also to our existing and future clients.”

The alliance committee will be managed by Arthur Cox staff under the guidance of diversity and inclusion partner Geoff Moore.