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The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD, today announced Government approval for the drafting of necessary resolutions to be put before each House of the Oireachtas recommending the appointment of Ms Sinéad Gibney, by the President, to the position of Chief Commissioner in line with the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act, 2014. 

Ms Gibney was selected following an open recruitment competition run by the Public Appointments Service.

The Minister said,

I was pleased to be able to bring a recommendation to Government following the independent recruitment competition recently run by the Public Appointments Service.

Ms Sinéad Gibney is an excellent candidate and I would hope that resolutions can be brought to each House of the Oireachtas recommending the appointment to this important role at the earliest opportunity.

The appointments process for members of the Commission, including Chief Commissioner, is governed by Section 13(1)(b) of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014. The Act provides that members of the Commission shall be appointed by the President (a) on the advice of the Government, and (b) following the passing of a resolution of each House of the Oireachtas recommending the appointment.

 The Minister took the opportunity to thank the outgoing Chief Commissioner, Ms Emily Logan, for her work over the course of her term. He said,

I want to thank Emily Logan for her hard work and dedicated public service as Chief Commissioner, in particular her contribution to the establishment of the Commission following the passing of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014.