Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the panel for their presentations. It is an honour for me to have such an esteemed group of people making the very important decision as to who will oversee and ensure that those who are most vulnerable in our society have their rights enshrined in compliance with our responsibility under international law. I am immensely impressed with the calibre of the panel and I have no doubt that the outcome will be an equally impressive commission, when it is appointed.

In recent years groups that were advocating on behalf of disabled persons, Travellers and others have seen their allocations from the State reduced dramatically. We know there was considerable controversy, with high profile and respected personnel resigning from senior positions in protest. It fundamentally undermined their work and their ability to defend the interests of those who are most vulnerable in our society. Is the panel satisfied that the appropriate financial resources will be provided to the commission to carry out its very important work? Are the members satisfied the commission will have the necessary independence from Government?

I commend the members of the selection panel on their insistence on coming before the joint committee. Democratic legitimacy and transparency are essential elements of the selection and appointment process. As part of the ongoing engagement between the Irish Human Rights Commission and the joint committee, it will be critical to examine the plans of the new commission and make sure it has the resources and capacity it needs to ensure Ireland complies with its international responsibilities. For example, the failure to ratify many of the international agreements we have signed must be addressed. Those are my concerns.

Professor Quinn spoke of being humbled. I am humbled to have the members of such an immensely capable and appropriate panel before us. While I have no doubt the outcome of its work will be excellent, I would like to learn more about the issues of resources, capacity and independence as well as accountability to the Oireachtas.