I’m delighted to welcome you to our Inaugural Annual Human Rights and Equality conference - titled: "Leadership on Human Rights and Equality: A Time for Courage and Vision".
As the title directs us, we have convened this conference - and you, Ireland's leaders for human rights and equality - because we believe we are at a critical moment for our work and for the wider rights and equality movement.
The human rights system established after World War 2 is now in deep crisis.
The human rights movement which grew from those institutions and legal instruments similarly faces threats on several fronts, both from rising authoritarian opposition and crumbling support structures.
The drive towards expanding equality protections is now grinding to a halt in many regions; or even reversing with attacks on women's rights, LGBTQI+ rights and anti-racism protections building momentum.
But our message today is one of hope and resolve. We are here to redouble our efforts – to analyse more closely the problems before us. To take strength and inspiration from each other in developing new and enhanced strategies to overcome those problems.
And - more than anything else I hope – to identify what each of us:
- international organisations,
- public representatives,
- public servants,
- Judges and lawyers
- rights and equality bodies,
- academics and intellectuals,
- civil society and community organisers,
- private sector
– can do to lead towards a more just and equal society.
Shortly, Deirdre will set out IHREC’s immediate priorities for our own work programme in the areas of tackling racism, inequality and democratic backsliding.
My remarks aim to set the wider frame: the global pressures we face, how they manifest here at home, and how, by acting together, we can forge solutions.
But before, I address the theme of today's conference, I must first acknowledge the great loss experienced by so many here today at the tragic death last week of Conor Gearty.
Conor was an intellectual leader of the human rights movement in Ireland and Britain. He was a mentor and teacher to so many who now lead the academic discipline of human rights. And he was a colleague and dear friend to so many who are with us today.
Conor was tireless in seeking the truth and addressing the fundamental questions at the heart of human rights discourse.
In her tribute to Conor, Siobhan Mullally made mention of his 2005 Hamlyn Lectures "Can Human Rights Survive", where the questions Conor posed about the relationship between advancing human rights through law and through politics remains as pertinent today as they were then.
He always showed an insatiable curiosity about the historical and political origins and context of human rights problems. His latest magnificent analysis of the concepts of terrorism and counter-terrorism, "Homeland Insecurity", identifies the central role that colonial policies on terrorism in Ireland and Israel have been central in its evolution
I am conscious that many here today knew Conor much better than I did and will be feeling his loss very deeply; and behalf of the Commissioners and staff of IHREC I want to extend our deepest sympathies to Conor's wife Aoife and to his children Eliza, Owen, Éile and Fiadh.
A time of crisis and challenge — globally and nationally
To begin then, let us take stock of where we are.
The past year has seen the most direct attacks on the rule of law, on human rights and equality institutions and on democratic values in decades.
We must begin with Gaza
- 60,000 civilians killed
- The highest number of journalists killed in any conflict
- Hunger used as an instrument of war
- Aid weaponised and desperate starving people shot as they try to reach food
This morning the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel conclusively found that genocide is being perpetrated by Israel in Gaza
As President Higgins has said:
“Without urgent change, it is difficult to see how the international community can emerge without a loss of credibility and moral authority. What is at stake now is the status of international law…”
Ireland has shown commendable leadership on this issue – it may be that our leadership is now shifting the centre of gravity in Europe - but Genocide demands more than condemnation. It demands action.
Along with an immediate ceasefire, there is an urgent need for the international community to support independent investigations into war crimes and to support those local actors who put their lives on the line to document these crimes.
At the domestic level, as the Dáil resumes this week, we must ensure that we do not support genocide through trade in goods or services or through enabling the Israeli government to use our airspace, our data centres, or our Central Bank.
Wider International Context
Sadly, the human tragedy in Gaza is not unique. The people of Sudan are currently facing the world's worst humanitarian crisis; nearly 25 million people are experiencing extreme hunger, and the UN have confirmed that a genocide is being committed.
As the US and other states withdraw financial support, the multilateral system – long under stress of underfunding and obstruction – is now facing an existential crisis.
The forces pushing against peace, justice and equality are growing bolder, more coordinated, and more dangerous. Weaknesses in international bodies are now openly being exploited by cynical actors.
Closer to home, the war in Ukraine deepens and the security and freedom of EU states is now threatened. The regional challenges our European Institutions face will be addressed by Sirpa Rautio, Director of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency in her Key Note address very shortly.
Domestic
And Ireland is not immune. We see these currents here too:
- in the spread of disinformation, amplified by social media and AI;
- in the rise of racism, seen in recent attacks on members of our Indian community and people seeking international protection;
- in the attempt to appropriate our national flag as a symbol of exclusion;
- And through threats against political leaders and electoral candidates – something unknown in Irish public life for many decades
All of this is taking place against the backdrop of persistent socio-economic inequality and a deeply embedded housing crisis, and in the face of the looming threat of the climate crisis. The conditions are in place which could – if not effectively addressed – sustain attack on rights and equality and might even lead to a democratic crisis point.
The evidence — what the poll tells us
And we in the Commission have data to support our concerns.
IHREC’s 2025 Annual Poll, which measures how the general public views human rights and equality issues - conducted with over 1,200 adults - paints a sobering picture:
- 14% of respondents said they experienced racism in the past year, up from 10% in 2024.
- Among non-white Irish, that figure jumps to a damning 66%.
Let me repeat that: 2 in 3 non-white Irish people have directly experienced racism in the past year.
And 16% of people with disabilities experienced discrimination, up six points from last year. Among younger people in the 18–24 age category, 37% witnessed disability-based discrimination.
These figures aren’t just numbers; they are signals regarding Ireland’s trajectory.
Travellers and Roma – victims of racism
Of course, racism is not a new concept in Ireland, not is it restricted to migrants. Ireland’s treatment of Travellers, in particular, has been a dark shadow on our democracy for generations.
While we have become a more diverse society, we have not always been, and still struggle to be, tolerant of difference. Which is why it is so crucial that the State steps up without delay and forcefully leads to combat the rise in hate speech and hate crimes across the country, particularly within the context of economic resources and immigration law.
Economic Inequality and Division
At the same time, economic inequality is growing.
Economic equality matters, because when wealth is accumulated by the few, opportunity is stolen from many, and what begins as inequality in income, often ends in inequality in education, in health, in justice and in hope.
And here, our research is again damning.
- Only 13% believe Ireland’s wealth is distributed fairly. 72%, believe our wealth is unfairly distributed.
- Linked to this is the fact that 84% of us are worried about the cost of living, and only 13% believe the Government is doing enough to address it, down from 21% last year.
- 45% of people worry about their ability to cover household costs in the year ahead
- And a recent ESRI report revealed that 1 in 5 children are living in poverty, more than in the aftermath of the financial crash.
Ireland is a wealthy country. We have the resources, but we are failing to spread them fairly. Policy choices have widened the gap between the highest earners and those on the lowest incomes.
Political Discourse and Technology
These numbers show a real cause for concern. Because when economic inequality widens, and desperation grows, in the cracks of that despair, people or groups acting in bad faith can fill a vacuum, offering scapegoats instead of solutions and fear instead of justice.
This fear in turn leads to a breakdown in trust: trust in politicians, the media covering politics, and the mechanisms of democracy itself.
When people feel abandoned and lose trust in public institutions, they become more vulnerable to false narratives, which social media algorithms can quickly amplify.
And we are seeing in Ireland, in real time, how social media is being used to coordinate far right activity. Incidents are not isolated, and they form a pattern that demands a sustained, robust response.
Far-right groups in Ireland remain small, but their influence on politics and in the media is disproportionate. History demonstrates that the far-right don’t need to win elections to coarsen our rhetoric, distort our democracy, and pit vulnerable groups against one another.
AI-driven recommender systems can radicalise the most innocent of users in weeks. Young men are disproportionately affected, targeted by extremist, racist and misogynistic content, misinformation, and harmful online communities.
Currently, our poll shows that nearly three in four people are concerned about AI’s impact on society. This is why IHREC’s new role under the EU AI Act is so critical. As one of nine designated bodies, we will work to ensure that AI systems deployed in Ireland respect fundamental rights, protect users and do not become tools of division or harm.
Political Leadership
But while the risks are real, the rise of extremism and diminution of rights is not inevitable. The central message today is this: we can respond, and every actor here has a role.
Unlike other countries where those who oppose human rights and equality have taken control of political institutions, Ireland has remained resolute in our commitment to the values of rights.
In the current political climate, it is crucial that political leaders do not succumb to the easy narrative that pits one group against another, and that feeds the scapegoating of minorities and migrants in particular, to distract from the failure of the state to ensure protection of the rights of all who face structural poverty.
Our Annual Poll also gives us reasons for optimism.
For instance:
• 80% of people still say equality for all is a core Irish value. Although that number has declined slightly over recent years, it is still higher than in many other EU states. It is not fragile support for equality; it is a strong mandate.
• Over 70% believe government should do more to tackle discrimination. That is not indifference — that is demand for action.
• A majority of our people believe diversity makes Ireland stronger, with the highest support among younger generations. That tells us the future of Ireland is leaning toward openness, not exclusion.
• And perhaps most importantly, two-thirds of respondents believe rights can be protected, if leaders and institutions show courage, but currently only four in ten of people believe efforts to combat discrimination in Ireland are effective.
So, while the data warns us of risk, it also tells us clearly: the Irish people are with us. They believe in equality. They want a fairer society. They are asking us to lead.
That is a mandate, and it gives us confidence that if we act together, the ground beneath us is firm.
But no single actor can deliver it alone. Each of us has a role.
• Political leaders must confront anti-rights actors, legislate for justice and equality, and resist the temptation to scapegoat.
• Public servants protect and build systems that make rights real — through law, services and safeguards.
• Civil society engages directly with communities, builds solidarity, and ensures those at the margins are heard.
We are not alone in facing these challenges – we are privileged to work hand in hand with FRA – the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, the Council of Europe, and the United Nations — drawing strength from international standards while contributing our own leadership. I also want to acknowledge our colleagues from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission with who we work closely on many of these issues.
For Ireland, working closely with these institutions is not optional — it is how we amplify our influence and ensure our domestic choices match international standards.
So, together, these pillars — political, institutional, civic and international — form the foundation of resilience.
This is the positive energy we must carry from this conference.
Lessons from history
Because history shows us that when these forces come together, change happens.
After the Second World War, nations, intellectuals and activists forged the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights — institutions that still anchor us today.
Closer to home, the Good Friday Agreement stands as proof that political leadership, civic courage and international solidarity can overcome deep division.
These moments remind us: progress is possible even in the darkest circumstances.
Above all, we must defend democracy, rights and equality not in the abstract, but in the everyday: in our schools, on our streets, on our screens, in our workplaces, in our local councils, in Leinster House, and beyond.
The year ahead places Ireland on the global stage: holding the EU Presidency and competing for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council. Meeting these duties requires more than good intentions.
Complacency is a luxury we cannot afford.
Thank you