Seven members nominated to human rights commission

Following 149 applications in an open competitive process, seven individuals have been nominated by Cabinet for appointment for a five-year term.

The nominees are Tony Geoghegan, Salome Mbugua, Professor Caroline Fennell, Colm O’Dwyer SC, Patrick Connolly, Heydi Foster Breslin and Frank Conaty.

Emily Logan, chief commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, said: “The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission looks forward to working with all those nominated, drawing on their diverse experience in this next and important phase of development of the Commission.”

Mr Geoghegan is CEO of Merchants Quay Ireland, while Ms Mbugua is ex-CEO and honorary president of African & Migrant Women’s Network, former board member of the National Women’s Council of Ireland, European Network of Migrant Women and member of the National Steering Committee on Violence Against Women.

Professor Fennell is on the Irish Research Council, Irish Council for Humanities and Social Sciences, and is Dean of UCC Law.

Mr O’Dwyer SC is chair of Ruhama and has experience as legal advisor to FLAC, chair of the Bar Council Human Rights Committee, and with a practice working in asylum and human rights law.

Mr Connolly is CEO of Inclusion Ireland and former CEO of Cairde.

Ms Foster-Breslin, nominated for a second term, is CEO of Misean Cara, a non-executive director of Dóchas and former CEO of Exchange House National Travellers Service.

Mr Conaty, nominated for a second term, is a founder member of Hope 4 Disability, ex-chair of the National Parents & Siblings Alliance, Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland, and a lecturer in accountancy and finance at NUI Galway.

The nominations will have to be approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas before appointment by President Michael D. Higgins.