Professor Gerard Quinn:

I will revert to one or two points raised, in particular by Deputy Mac Lochlainn, especially on the issue of resources. This pushed in me a response which is not necessarily tied to the question of resources for the new commission. It is merely the observation, one that the panel has yet to share collectively, that the Ireland of 2001, when the first Irish Human Rights Commission was appointed, was vastly different from the Ireland of 2012. The outgoing commission did much valuable work exploring the area of economic, social and cultural rights. I will venture a personal opinion, while offering the heavy caveat that the panel has yet to discuss this issue, that the question of social justice and, in particular, principles placing a floor beneath regression, should be a main concern for the next commission. This may play on our minds in terms of the profile of the kind of person or persons we would like to see on the commission.

The issue of appointment criteria was raised. Again, I include a heavy caveat that the selection panel has yet to have an in-depth substantive discussion on this matter. However, as a crude, ready reckoner in my own mind, what I will look for is real competence with respect to international human rights law.

This is pretty scarce on the ground, but at least we would have some presence in that regard on the commission. We would need to have representatives also of social forces in the country. It is critically important that it be a broad church rather than a narrow one. I would also look for evidence or proof of acumen, a proven track record in getting the job done and, in particular, making the case for reformed government, because the case must be made in a way that is cogent and cohesive. This is my response in substance.