Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

76. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedures she will follow in appointing Irish nominees to committees of the Council of Europe; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12004/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The selection procedure for the appointment of nominees to the Committees of the Council of Europe varies according to the Committee concerned and in line with their rules of procedure.

My Department has made the following nominations from Ireland to serve on the Council of Europe Committees:

In October 2014, Mark Kelly was nominated to be the Irish member to the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT). On 26 November 2014, Mr Kelly was elected by the Committee of Ministers' Deputies from the list of three names submitted following a national selection process.

In August 2015, Martin Collins was nominated for the list of experts eligible to serve on the Council of Europe’s Advisory Committee of the Framework Convention of National Minorities (FCNM). On 13 January 2016, Mr Collins was elected by the Committee of Ministers' Deputies from the list of two names put forward following a national selection process.

My Department is expected to make the following two nominations later this year:

A nomination to the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI). The term of the current member, Michael Farrell, will end on 23 November 2016.

A nomination to the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA). The term of the current member, Siobhán Mullally, will end on 31 December 2016.