Departmental Bodies

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 February 2013

Thursday, 28 February 2013

Questions (75)

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

75. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a list of the members or former members of the Judiciary who, during the past five years, have acted as chairperson or member of any body in or under his Department, or as chairperson or member of any inquiry, or have performed functions including arbitration, mediation, conciliation, patronage, advisory or law reform functions or any other role in or in any body under his Department or in any body wholly or partly funded by him, specifying in each case the name of the judge; if he or she is serving or retired; the court of which he or she is or was a member; the role or function performed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10881/13]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

For Ireland’s Chairmanship of the OSCE last year, I continued the tradition of appointing three Personal Representatives, responsible for combating intolerance and discrimination. Judge Catherine McGuinness, who is a former Supreme Court Justice and President of the Law Reform Commission, was appointed as my Personal Representative on Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination, as well as intolerance and discrimination against Christians and members of other religions. The role involved a number of visits to OSCE participating States, during which she held meetings with Government representatives, religious leaders and representatives of civil society. The position held by Judge McGuinness was part-time and unpaid but the Department provided support, where needed, to assist in the fulfilment of her mandate.