President Higgins appoints Chief Commissioner & Members of Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission

The Chief Commissioner and Members of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission will be appointed today by President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins to their positions and receive their warrants of appointment in a ceremony to be held at Áras An Uachtaráin at 11am. The Commission’s appointment takes place on the eve of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission’s establishment day, 1 November 2014.

Emily Logan, Chief Commissioner, said ‘today’s appointment of the members of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission by the President is an important event that signifies the new level of independence for the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. This follows the passing of resolutions by both Houses of the Oireachtas. It has taken some time to get to this day but the process has been important. We are taking up our positions with the full support of the State for the role of an independent national human rights and equality institution. This is evidenced by strong founding legislation which provides for a broad mandate, an open and transparent process of appointment and autonomy in the management of the organisation’s resources with a separate estimate that is voted by the Dáil with the Director of the IHREC, as the organisation’s Accounting Officer.”

Ms. Logan continued “our initial task is to build a welcoming organisation, while vigorously pursuing our mandate to protect and promote human rights and equality in Ireland and nurture a culture of respect for the rights of every person across the whole of society. First and foremost our role is to ensure the State meets its human rights and equality obligations. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 provides us with a range of ways to address human rights and equality issues from engagement to enforcement. We aim to bring about a change of culture through legal means, policy and legislative advice, awareness and education, and partnership that can transform services, workplaces and society. We will have a strong focus on empowering and engaging with people and groups to support them to exercise their own rights and to provide input and feedback to us on our work as it progresses.”

ENDS/

For Further Information

Please contact Fidelma Joyce, Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, Tel: 01 8589601 Mob: 087 783 4939

Notes to Editor

• Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 – Founding Legislation
• Nomination of Emily Logan as Chief Commissioner followed an open competition – a transparent, and rigorous process run by the Public Appointments Service, which included a series of two separate interviews by a group of international experts in the area of human rights and equality.
• Nomination of Members (designate) of the IHREC was by an independent selection panel of experts.
• The Commission includes: