Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to echo the final point made by Deputy O'Callaghan. It is vitally important that the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission is an organisation which is very vocal and not afraid to rock the boat and provide criticism where fair criticism is required. That is particularly important given that any organisation or body of the State can offer mild criticisms or observations about how things should be done better. The role of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission should be more robust. It is vitally important that everyone is involved in that. Human rights and equality are a fundamental pillar in any functioning, forward-thinking society and democracy. It is essential that those who hold positions such as this acknowledge the influence and power they wield and keep that to the forefront of their minds when involved in the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission or any other body of that kind.

I wish to separate from my remarks the fact that I will support the nominations and congratulate the excellent nominees involved. I note Salome Mbugua Henry has been nominated. She spoke at a very valuable event we both attended last Saturday on the integration of migrants into Irish politics. Frank Conaty, Heydi Foster-Breslin, Caroline Fennell, Patrick Connolly, Tony Geoghegan and Colm O’Dwyer are all excellent nominations.

I also, however, have some observations on and concerns about the process. My understanding is that special or specific criteria were provided to the public appointments system. I understand they were not cleared by the commission in full and emphasised knowledge of corporate organisations, large organisations and experience of that kind to a greater extent than heretofore and, perhaps, to a greater extent than knowledge of and experience in the area of human rights and equality. Those skills are obviously of value but the commission is not an enormous organisation and its primary purpose is advocacy and developing a critique of failures in Irish society and Government policies. It is vitally important that the primary consideration is experience, knowledge and expertise in the area of human rights.

That should not have happened. Those special criteria should have been passed by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission in full. What has happened should never occur again. I am concerned that it could be the case that the changing criteria, if followed further, could lead to a diminution of or a lesser emphasis on radical critique of Government. I had an interesting conversation with somebody some time ago and was furnished with documents which suggested that the process in respect of how people would be put forward for the seven positions identified a number of specific issues in terms of existing expertise or areas that were not required. To be perfectly frank, it would be possible to connect that to some of the people who were previously on the board and were not reappointed.

In many such organisations there would be an automatic or at least a presumption of reappointment. In this case, that did not happen. I have a concern that some of the information or proposals put to the public appointments system shaped the process that followed in a way which should not have happened. It is vitally important that does not happen again. Where people offer a radical critique and expertise in a particular area of human rights, they should certainly be considered for reappointment. These are the skills and priorities which need to be to the forefront of any decisions which are made in respect of appointments.

I hope lessons will be learned from this process. I am not entirely satisfied with the process that has taken place. This is a matter of concern. Human rights and equality need to be the areas of expertise that are to the forefront. Notwithstanding my comments, we will support the nominations. They are excellent people, and I hope they will serve the commission well and that they will be a thorn in the side of Government.

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