Seven members, including five new members of the Commission have been nominated to the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (the ‘Commission’).
Following an open competitive process run by the Public Appointments Service, the following seven individuals have been nominated for appointment by President Michael D. Higgins to the Commission, for a five-year term:
- Tony Geoghegan – Chief Executive, Merchants Quay Ireland
- Salome Mbugua – AkiDwA, Wezesha
- Prof. Caroline Fennell – Senior Vice President Academic and Registrar, UCC
- Colm O’Dwyer – Senior Counsel
- Patrick Connolly – Chief Executive Officer, Inclusion Ireland
- Heydi Foster Breslin – Chief Executive Officer, Misean Cara
- Frank Conaty – Lecturer, NUIG
The appointments see the Commission at its full complement of fifteen Commission Members, and in accordance with the 2014 Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act, this ensures a continuing gender balance with eight women and seven men.
There are two further steps to the process, the passing of a resolution by both Houses of the Oireachtas, followed by the appointment by President Michael D. Higgins.
Welcoming the nominations, Emily Logan, Chief Commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission stated:
“The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission looks forward to working with all those nominated, drawing on their diverse experience in this next and important phase of development of the Commission.”
ENDS/
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Editor’s Note
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission is an independent public body, appointed by the President and directly accountable to the Oireachtas. The Commission has a statutory remit set out under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act (2014) to protect and promote human rights and equality in Ireland, and build a culture of respect for human rights, equality and intercultural understanding in the State.
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission is Ireland’s national human rights institution and is recognised as such by the United Nations. The Commission is also Ireland’s national equality body for the purpose of a range of EU anti-discrimination measures.
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014, Article 12 sets out the Membership of Commission, while Article 13 sets out Appointment of members of Commission.