Ms Emily Logan:

As it is articulated in the legislation, it is about being the voice of the commission. It is about leading the commission and leading on the strategy. We are about to enter into the first phase of the strategy and it is about bringing together the two organisations with a single vision as the new Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. It is about linking internationally, with the Northern Ireland commission and with the four jurisdictions. We also will have a new Accounting Officer and as a lot of new administrative functions will sit with the director, I think the commissioner is very much externally focused. I will be looking strategically at what is happening, as well as trying to connect with civil society, trying to keep my finger on the pulse and to know when and what we should be doing as a commission. As for the way in which I wish to do this, I am reminded of the final meeting I had between the Minister for Justice and Equality and that Roma family. The Minister offered to the mother of the family in question anything for that individual family and the mother, in a highly dignified fashion, replied she would like Ireland to treat Roma people in ways that are more humane. That is what I am interested in doing, namely, bringing dignity to communities through the vehicle of human rights and equality.