Ms Justice Marie Baker

The Supreme Court judge’s appointment to the role of chairperson completes An Coimisiún’s seven-person membership, following the appointment of four ordinary members in December 2022. The clerk of the Dáil and the Ombudsman will sit as ex officio members.

The new body is independent of the government, reporting directly to the Oireachtas, and will be central to the administration, development and protection of the State’s democratic processes and institutions.

Darragh O’Brien, minister for housing, local government and heritage, said: “I wish to congratulate Justice Baker on her appointment as Chairperson of An Coimisiún Toghcháin. She will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to this significant role in the operation and safeguarding of our democratic processes.

“I urge the public to engage with the important, upcoming work of the Commission in protecting and modernising our electoral landscape.”

Malcolm Noonan, minister of state for heritage and electoral reform, added: “An Coimisiún Toghcháin will be at the international cutting edge of electoral reform, particularly with respect to its significant powers and responsibilities in protecting our electoral system and processes in the online space – an area of growing concern.

“I’m particularly pleased that it will also have a role in researching the barriers to participation experienced by marginalised and disenfranchised groups, and in communicating impartial, reliable information to everyone, including hard to reach groups.

“The establishment of the Commission marks a milestone in the reform and modernisation of our electoral system. Ireland is known for the high democratic standard of its electoral processes and today’s announcement ensures that this will remain the case into the future.”