Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This discussion is a continuation of the work the joint committee has done in respect of the establishment of the Irish human rights and equality commission. It is a pleasure to be here to discuss the draft motions which reflect the requirement set out in section 13(1)(b) of the Irish human rights and equality commission Act 2014 that a resolution be passed by each House of the Oireachtas recommending the appointment of members of a commission, after which the appointments will be made by the President. The motions were approved by the Government on 14 October 2014 and recommend the appointment by the President of the following persons with effect from 1 November 2014, which is the establishment day for the commission: Emily Logan as Chief Commissioner, Siobhán Mullally, Teresa Blake, Orlagh O'Farrell, Mary Murphy, Betty Purcell, Heydi Foster Breslin, Sunniva McDonogh, Ray Murphy, Frank Conaty, David Joyce, Fidele Muwarasibo, Mark Kelly, Kieran Rose and Liam Herrick.
The joint committee had discussions and an exchange of views last year with the members designate of the commission and more recently with the chief commissioner designate, Ms Emily Logan. Today provides me with an opportunity to speak about the appointments process, which has been - I stress - fully independent of the Government and designed to ensure compliance with the Paris Principles as well as to yield a commission membership that is broadly reflective of Irish society. I am sure the committee will agree that we have achieved this outcome. Ms Logan has been nominated by the Public Appointments Service following an independent selection process to serve as chief commissioner of the Irish human rights and equality commission. Over three years, she has demonstrated a commitment to the protection and advancement of human rights during her time as Ombudsman for Children. I had the pleasure of working with her in my previous role. She brings a wealth of experience to this job.
In April 2013, 14 people were appointed as members of the Human Rights Commission and the Equality Authority on an interim basis. It is relevant to note that the Government agreed in principle at the time to nominate them in due course to be appointed to the Irish human rights and equality commission. They had been selected by an earlier selection process which was also independent of Government and in line with the Paris Principles, which are the set of UN rules relating to the operation of national human rights institutions. I note for the information of the joint committee that the independent assessment panel was appointed in 2013 under the chairmanship of the ombudsman, Ms Emily O'Reilly. The other members of the panel were Dr. Mary Keys, Ms Sylda Langford, Professor Gerard Quinn and Professor Gerard Whyte, and they were assisted by the Public Appointments Service in running the selection process. The Government had no role. I take this opportunity to thank the members of the independent assessment panel for their work.
I take the opportunity, as many Members of the Dáil and Seanad did when the legislation was being debated, to pay tribute to the staff of both the Human Rights Commission and the Equality Authority for the work they have done as individual organisations over the years on equal rights. They are now embarking on a journey as a single body. I acknowledge their dedication and patience over the last couple of years as the merger process evolved. It is obviously a difficult time when an organisation undergoes the kind of change which has had to be undertaken in this case. I appreciate very much the ongoing commitment to human rights and their work of the organisations in the period. I pay tribute also to the former commissioners of the Human Rights Commission and the board members of the Equality Authority for the direction and advice they gave to both organisations over the years. The task ahead is challenging but I reiterate the support of the Government for the new body and its ongoing support for the protection and promotion of human rights.

I commend the motion to the committee.