The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (‘the Commission’) has today welcomed the Government’s recommendation of six new Commission Members to be proposed for appointment to serve on the Commission.
The new Commission Members proposed are:
- Sam Blanckensee
- Cathryn Costello
- Patricia Munatsi
- Rose Wall
- Adam Harris (reappointment)
- Rosaleen McDonagh (reappointment)
The announcement comes after an open and transparent competition held by the Public Appointments Service (PAS). As set out under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014, once the PAS selection process is completed, Commission Members must be approved through resolutions of both Houses of the Oireachtas and are then formally appointed by the President.
This process is in line with international standards for National Human Rights Institutions (the UN Paris Principles).
Chief Commissioner, Liam Herrick welcomed today’s announcement, saying:
“These proposed appointments will bring significant practical, academic and human rights experience and expertise to the work of the Commission at a time when our mandate has significantly increased in many areas.
Once confirmed by the Oireachtas and appointed by the President, our Commission Members will join in the work of fulfilling the Commission’s statutory mandate to protect and promote human rights and equality in the State.”
Biographical notes on Six Proposed Commissioners:
Sam Blanckensee is the current Equality Officer at Maynooth University. They have previously worked with the Irish Traveller Movement and Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI).
Cathryn Costello is professor of Global Refugee and Migration Law at University College Dublin, where she is also the Director of the PhD programme. She has also held chairs at the Hertie School and the University of Oxford and remains a Visiting Professor at both institutions. She has previous board member experience, including as a member of the board of the Irish Refugee Council and two Oxford Colleges.
Adam Harris is being reappointed, having been a member of the Commission since 2020. He is a disability advocate who has acted as Vice-Chairperson of IHREC’s Disability Advisory Committee and served on the Commission’s Audit and Risk Committee. Adam is a founder and the current CEO of AsIAm, Ireland’s Autism charity. He has extensive experience as a non-executive director of various charities and NGOs including Rethink Ireland.
Rosaleen McDonagh is being reappointed as an IHREC Commissioner. She is a member of the Travelling Community with prior board experience with Pavee Point and Women’s Aid and is currently on the Board of the Arts Council. In her role as Commissioner for IHREC she has led engagement on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) as chair of IHREC’s Disability Advisory Committee. She has previous experience as an Adjunct Lecturer at Trinity College, Dublin and is a member of Aosdána.
Patricia Munatsi-Mangwiza is a human rights lawyer with experience in policy development, public affairs and strategic advocacy. She is a member of the Government’s Expert Advisory Committee on Racial Equality and Racism, inputting into the National Action Plan against Racism (NAPAR) and advising the Special Rapporteur. She is also currently serving as a Board Member with Uplift – People Powered Change and a member of Lawyers Against Racism Ireland. She has previously led Volunteer Ireland’s public affairs strategy, coordinated the Coalition for the Implementation of NAPAR and contributed to multiple Oireachtas and UN submissions.
Rose Wall is a solicitor and consultant specialising in environmental justice, with a legal career focused on the advancement of human rights and equality. She brings extensive senior leadership experience from across the NGO sector. Rose founded Ireland’s Centre for Environmental Justice and is a current member of the Board of Community Foundation Ireland.