Human rights commission chief seeking to run for Social Democrats in European elections

The chief executive of the State’s human rights watchdog is to resign her position to seek a nomination to run for the Social Democrats in the European elections in June.

Sinead Gibney, chief commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC), announced on Friday that she will leave her post on March 15th.

Asked if there would be a conflict of interest between her current role and her status as an aspiring politician in the two months between now and Ms Gibney’s departure, a spokeswoman for the commission declined to comment.

She said the organisation would “meet soon to discuss how the business of the commission would be run”.

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Ms Gibney recently announced that IHREC would take legal action against the Government for its failure to provide accommodation for asylum seekers.

In an affidavit to the High Court, she said that the commission had “very grave concerns” about the “very serious and persistent breach” of the human rights of affected newly arrived applicants for international protection. The case is expected to return to court later this month.

Last year, the commission said that the State was not doing enough to encourage women to enter politics.

Ms Gibney was previously a candidate for the Social Democrats before the 2020 general election but withdrew her candidacy when she was appointed to her current role. It is understood that she informed the commission of her intention to seek a nomination on Friday.

Fianna Fáil MEP for Ireland South Billy Kelleher said Ms Gibney should clarify if or how long she had been in discussions with a political party about contesting an election before announcing her plan to resign.

“It is a core principle of our public service that senior personnel engage in no political work. In the course of their duties, they must act in a manner where no person could raise any issues about their political intentions,” he said.

Mr Kelleher said the commission should clarify whether it was aware of its chief commissioner’s intention to stand for a political party prior to Ms Gibney’s letter of resignation being received.

In a statement, the commission said it “would like to thank Sinéad for the contribution she has made in her time as Chief Commissioner, and as the inaugural Director of the organisation, and we wish her well in her future endeavours”.

Ms Gibney said: “It has been a privilege to work in IHREC. I’m passionate about the importance of a strong rights and equality body which works towards a just and inclusive Ireland. I have full confidence that IHREC will continue to thrive and to serve the people of Ireland in the fulfilment of its mandate. I’m excited to now embark on a new chapter in my own career.”

The IHREC said neither it nor Ms Gibney would issue any further comments.

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