Professor Gerard Quinn

A qualified barrister and prominent legal academic, he is professor emeritus in law at NUI Galway, where he previously directed the world-leading Centre on International Disability Law & Policy.

His appointment to succeed Costa Rican lawyer Catalina Devandas Aguilar has been warmly welcomed by the International Disability Alliance (IDA) and the European Network on Independent Living (INEL).

In a statement, the IDA said: “It is a critical time for the rights of persons with disabilities, and we trust that Professor Quinn will carry out his role in a way that ensures inclusive, systematic and sustainable change to ensure the universal respect, protection, and fulfillment of the rights of person with disabilities, while fully considering multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination.”

The ENIL, which recently hosted Professor Quinn at a webinar on the use of EU funds to support independent living, said: “We look forward to continued cooperation with Prof Gerard Quinn in his new role, with a view to advance the right to independent living for all disabled people in Europe and worldwide.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said: “Professor Gerard Quinn is a world-renowned academic and advocate for disability rights. He will bring significant expertise to the role of special rapporteur.”