Seán Lester 2007: Vaughan Lowe 12th December 2007

The Third Seán Lester Lecture was delivered by Prof. Vaughan Lowe of All Souls College, Oxford on the topic of 'The Double-Edged Sword: International Law in Domestic Courts'. Prof. Lowe discussed the advantages and disadvantages of domestic courts applying international law in the cases before them. Whilst this process can lead to increased recognition of international human rights norms, it can also lead to an increase in the powers of the government. The event was chaired by Michael McDowell SC.


Irish Diplomacy in the 1930s 2nd May 2007

Following the publication of Documents on Irish Foreign Policy Vol. IV: 1932-1936, Dr. Michael Kennedy, Executive Editor of the Series, led a discussion group on 'Irish Diplomacy and Irish Identity in the 1930s'.


The International Criminal Court 2nd April 2007

Anticipating the first ever case to be tried before the International Criminal Court, Prof. William Schabas of NUI Galway reprised his inaugural address to ISIL, leading a discussion group on the development of the Court.


The Execution of Saddam Hussein 5th March 2007

Prof. Ivana Bacik of Trinity College Dublin led a discussion group on the topic 'Was Saddam Hussein's Execution Legal? The Death Penalty in International Law'.


Do We Need the UN? 17th January 2007

Noel Dorr, former Irish Ambassador to the United Nations and former Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs, led an ISIL discussion group on the topic 'Do We Need the UN?'.


Seán Lester 2006: Ruth Wedgwood 6th December 2006

The Second Seán Lester Lecture was delivered by Prof. Ruth Wedgwood of Johns Hopkins University and Yale University on the topic 'Ban Ki Moon May be Sorry: The Intractable Difficulties of UN Reform'.
Prof. Wedgwood criticised the political and managerial problems of the United Nations. The event was chaired by Mr. Justice Nicholas Kearns of the Supreme Court.


UN Reform and Human Rights 29th September 2006

Prof. Michael O'Flaherty, Irish Government Nominee to the UN Human Rights Committee and Reader in Human Rights at the University of Nottingham, led a discussion group on the topic of 'UN Reform and Human Rights'.


The Saddam Hussein Trial 10th May 2006

Prof. Mark Drumbl of Washington and Lee University led a discussion group on 'The Saddam Hussein Trial: A Critical Perspective'. Prof. Drumbl's comments followed his recent contribution to the Proceedings of the American Society of International Law.


Extraordinary Rendition 12th April 2006

Dr. Gernot Biehler led a discussion group on 'Extraordinary Rendition' and the obligations of the Irish government. He suggested that the Irish government may have an obligation to act against the practice arising out of Article 2 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 16 of the Torture Convention.