David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senators for their contributions and support for the motion. I wish to emphasise one or two points. The commission has A status accreditation from the Global Alliance for National Human Rights Institutions. That is important and it includes the method of selection of commissioners. Government has to be completely distant from the process; it must have nothing to do with it. That is why the Public Appointments Service is involved. As Senator Conway said, I was Chairman of the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality when the commission was established originally and that point was understood by everyone involved.

The structure and independence of the commission is important. There is no Government influence in the appointments process and those who the PAS nominates. The service nominates seven people. Today, both Houses are tabling a motion to enable the President to appoint them. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission is completely and totally independent. The commission has an important job to do under the Act. The commission must also bear in mind the required skills needs. There must be balance in this regard and it is up to the commission to identify the required skills.

There was a high level of interest in the advertisement. It was completely up to the Public Appointments Service to select the seven from the 149 applications submitted.The Government had no hand, act or part in that. The service nominated seven people. I appreciate that it was probably a difficult job; I do not know that but that is my guess. What we are doing today is accepting the seven who were nominated by the independent Public Appointments Service to go forward.

The commission has an important job to do. As I mentioned earlier, there is also a public sector duty of raising awareness in public bodies of their legal obligation to eliminate discrimination, promote equality of opportunity and protect human rights. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission is responsible for working not just with the Government but all State agencies and bodies. It has important domestic and international standing, as well as institutional independence. It has an "A" status accreditation from the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and would not have that accreditation unless it was completely independent and was seen to be independent. The Government and these Houses acknowledge, respect and champion its independence.

I again thank the Senators for their comments on this important institution. I wish the new appointees and the commission the best. Incidentally, the commission has its own Vote, which also ensures its independence.