Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland

Look who's been nominated Ireland's new human rights commissioner...

Emily Logan will step down from her post as the Ombudsman for Children to take up role on Ireland’s new rights and equality body.

THE CHILDREN’S OMBUDSMAN Emily Logan has announced she is being nominated the first Chief Commissioner of the new Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.

The Commission is being formed through the merging of the Irish Human Rights Commission and the Equality Authority, under new legislation passed by the Oireachtas last week.

Logan said she was “honoured to be nominated” for the position, and that it “will be an honour to work with a Commission of such calibre, expertise and diversity.”

She added:

I would like to join Mr David Joyce, Acting Chairperson of the IHREC (Designate) in his public commitment to delivering the mandate given to the Commission by the new legislation to work for the promotion and protection of the human rights and equality of everyone in Ireland.

Logan will step down from her Ombudsman post this autumn in order to take up her new role.

“It has been a privilege to serve as Ireland’s first Ombudsman for Children for the past decade,” she said today.

It was a remarkable experience for me both personally and professionally, and I believe that my Office made an important contribution to the promotion and protection of children’s rights during this time.

Then-Justice Minister Alan Shatter announced the names of the 14 members designate to the new body in April 2013. The formal appointment of the Commission chief and members will be made by President Higgins following the passing of relevant motions in the Dáil and Seanad.

The new Minister of State with responsibility for Equality Aodhán Ó Ríordáin welcomed Logan’s nomination, saying she “brings a wealth of experience from her role as Ombudsman for Children” to her new post.

“I wish her every success in her new position,” he said, adding:

The new Commission has the potential to make a very real difference to human rights and equality in Ireland, not least by working with public bodies to improve standards, providing training and invite the development of action plans to address identified failures, for which it has been given a specific power by the legislation.

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties also welcomed Logan’s nomination.

ICCL Director Mark Kelly described Logan as an “outstanding choice” for the role.

“As Ombudsman for Children, she has been a fearless defender of the rights of vulnerable young people and her independence and vision will be huge assets to Ireland’s new statutory national human rights institution,” Kelly said.

Read: UN told symphysiotomy patients were ‘operated upon wide awake and often screaming’ >

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
21 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dissasociated Follower
    Favourite Dissasociated Follower
    Report
    Feb 1st 2024, 7:08 PM

    Patroness Saint and Godess of healing amongst other things. She heralds the new Sun and new growth. We have always been a blessed land. Thank you Brigid.

    87
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mike
    Favourite Mike
    Report
    Feb 1st 2024, 8:21 PM

    What does “The Irish For” mean? Genuine question, anyone?

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Athena
    Favourite Athena
    Report
    Feb 2nd 2024, 9:03 AM

    @Mike: Could it be that it should read “Four”, relating to the paragraph where three other ‘pagan’ deities are listed ?

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute If you're
    Favourite If you're
    Report
    Feb 2nd 2024, 8:11 AM

    Brigid, born in Louth, none of this Kildare messin.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Hannahs
    Favourite William Hannahs
    Report
    Feb 2nd 2024, 1:24 PM

    @Mike To me, “The Irish For” means an interesting article on linguistics. O’Séaghdha’s column is one of my favorites and always makes my day.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciaran
    Favourite Ciaran
    Report
    Feb 2nd 2024, 7:28 AM

    Ah sure isn’t it great for the girls ..

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute AnthonyK
    Favourite AnthonyK
    Report
    Feb 2nd 2024, 2:58 AM

    I always thought Brigid never existed. That she was a pagan goddess taken over by the early Irish Church. What scholarship is the author referring to. Citations would be welcome.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fintan Neelan
    Favourite Fintan Neelan
    Report
    Feb 2nd 2024, 1:46 AM

    Three people lost and the priest calls it a cute corner. Honestly?

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.