Aodhán Ó Ríordáin T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for New Communities, Culture, Equality and Drug Strategy, today (16 October 2015) welcomed the beginning of Professor Michael O’Flaherty’s tenure as Director of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). Professor O’Flaherty was selected by the FRA’s Management Board as the new Director at their meeting on 24-25 September 2015.
“I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Michael O’Flaherty today as he begins what I am sure will be a progressive and exciting 5-year term at the helm of the Fundamental Rights Agency,” said Minister Ó Ríordáin. “The selection process was arduous and the standard of candidates was extremely high. Michael’s tireless work, dedication and broad expertise in the field of fundamental rights at national, European and international levels secured him this significant position, and we in Ireland should be very proud of him and all he has achieved to date."
“The FRA is uniquely placed to have a clear and objective perspective on fundamental rights issues across the EU region and present Member States with valuable comparative analysis and advice. FRA brings together the views of states, national and EU civil society groups, and the European institutions. Their thorough research and analysis helps us to see beyond our own perspectives and explore issues in the round. We greatly value their insights, expertise and enthusiasm, along with their willingness to engage in new projects on emerging issues and areas of concern. We enjoy a very cooperative and constructive relationship with the Fundamental Rights Agency, and I look forward to continuing this collaborative work under Michael’s leadership.”
At a public round table event to welcome him to Vienna, Professor O’Flaherty said today that he looked forward to continuing to strengthen the impact of the work of the FRA, which contributes to the strengthening of fundamental rights protection in concrete and practical terms.
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Note for Editors:
Prior to taking up Directorship of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, Michael O’Flaherty was Established Professor of Human Rights Law and Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights at the National University of Ireland, Galway since February 2013. He has served as Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. From 2004-2012, he was a member of the United Nations Human Rights Committee, latterly as Vice-Chair.
The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) is mandated to provide evidence-based advice to EU and national decision-makers, thereby contributing to more informed and better targeted debates and policies on fundamental rights.
The selection procedure for a new Director is set out in FRA’s Founding Regulation. A shortlist is drawn up by the European Commission. The European Parliament and the Council of the EU both give their opinions and orders of preference after interviewing each shortlisted candidate, which are thereafter taken into account by the Management Board. The final decision rests with FRA’s Management Board.
FRA’s Management Board is made up of independent experts from every EU Member State and two representatives of the European Commission. One independent representative appointed by the Council of Europe also sits on the Board in an observer capacity.
Further information about the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights is available at www.fra.europa.eu.