Government recommends appointments to the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission
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Published on
Last updated on
The Cabinet has today, 12 June 2020, noted and accepted the recommendations of the Public Appointments Service (PAS) for the appointment of eight candidates to the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC), in line with the process laid out in Section 13 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Act 2014.
The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD, who brought the recommendations to Government said:
"The commissioners being recommended for appointment today bring a broad range of valuable experience, insights and perspectives that will enhance IHREC’s ability to fulfil its role in the protection of human rights and equality in Ireland, and the building of a culture of respect for human rights, equality and intercultural understanding."
The Minister of State for Equality, Immigration and Integration, David Stanton TD added:
"IHREC’s work in the promotion of the tolerance and acceptance of diversity in the State, respect for the freedom and dignity of each person, and the elimination of human rights abuses and discrimination is incredibly important. I have no doubt that the Commission will benefit enormously from the legal, academic and practical expertise that the new commissioners bring to the table."
These recommendations, along with the previously approved recommendation of Ms. Sinead Gibney for the post of Chief Commissioner, which resulted from an independent PAS process, will now go forward for approval to the Houses of the Oireachtas and the President.
The appointments process for members of the Commission is governed by Section 13(1)(b) of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014. The Act provides that members of the Commission shall be appointed by the President (a) on the advice of the government, and (b) following the passing of a resolution of each House of the Oireachtas recommending the appointment.
ENDS
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission is Ireland’s national human rights institution and equality body. It is an independent public body with a mandate established under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 to protect and promote human rights and equality. Additionally, it seeks to promote the development of a culture of respect for human rights, equality and intercultural understanding in the state.
Its mission is:
“to build a just and inclusive society that protects and promotes human rights and equality in Ireland.”
In accordance with the 2014 Act, the Public Appointments Service recently undertook a selection process for appointment of a Chief Commissioner and members of the Commission.
Section 13 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 provides that members of the Commission shall be appointed by the President; (a) on the advice of the Government, and (b) following the passing of a resolution of each House of the Oireachtas recommending the appointment.
For appointment:
Dr. Rosaleen McDonagh is a writer and arts contributor on human rights issues. She was appointed to the Irish Human Rights Disability Advisory Committee in 2018 and is a voluntary member of the Board of Management at Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre. She has a B.A. in Biblical & Theological Studies, an M.Phil in Race, Ethnicity and Conflict and an M.Phil in Creative Writing, all from Trinity College Dublin. She obtained a PhD from Northumbria University Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. Her studies were focused on Racism, Disability and Traveller Identity. She is a member of Aosdána.
Professor Ray Murphy (term since 2013) is a Professor at the Irish Centre for Human Rights at the National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG) and a member of the Executive Committee of the Association of Human Rights Institutes. He is a former Vice-Chair of the Executive Committee of Amnesty International (Ireland) and also a former Captain in the Irish Defence Forces.
Professor Siobhán Mullally is a Professor of Human Rights Law and Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights at NUI Galway. She is a former Professor of Law at University College Cork (UCC) and Director of the Centre for Criminal Justice and Human Rights at the University.
Dr. Lucy Michael is a Lecturer in Sociology at Ulster University and President of the Sociological Association of Ireland. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and holds a PhD and MA in Criminology from Keele University and Bachelor of Civil Laws from University College Dublin. Her research expertise is in the sociology of race and ethnicity, minority experiences of crime and victimisation, and integration.
Mr. Jim Clarken is CEO of Oxfam Ireland and an Executive Director of Oxfam International. He has worked for over 15 years at senior management and board level in a range of industries including energy, pharma and environmental. He has been involved at board level in several non-profit organisations in the arts sector and business representative organisations.
Mr. Adam Harris is the founder and CEO of AsIAm. He is the principal spokesperson for the organisation and also has responsibility for strategic planning, fundraising and financial management. He is a Board Member of Autism Europe and sits on a range of consultation committees including the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group and the Comprehensive Employment Strategy Implementation Group.
Professor Kathleen Lynch is a sociologist and was Professor of Equality Studies at UCD from 2003-2018. She has engaged in a considerable amount of public service work with civil society organisations and statutory bodies in Ireland and had a lead role in developing the UCD Equality Studies Centre from 1990 onwards.
Mr. Michael Finucane is Principal Solicitor at his Dublin-based law firm, which specialises in criminal defence and human rights litigation. He is a Human Rights Committee Member in the Law Society of Ireland, which he also chaired from 2012 to 2014 and is a consultant and trainer with the SUPRALAT Project at Dublin City University / Law Society of Ireland.
They will join Commissioners Frank Conaty, Caroline Fennell, Heydi Foster Breslin, Salome Mbugua, Colm O’Dwyer and Tony Geoghegan.