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Ms Justice Marie Baker to chair electoral watchdog

Ms Justice Marie Baker of the Supreme Court has been appointed as chair of An Coimisiún Toghcháin, the new statutory electoral watchdog.

Four ordinary members were appointed in December, while the clerk of the Dáil and the Ombudsman will sit, ex officio.

The judge’s appointment completes An Coimisiún’s seven-person membership.

The new body is independent of the Government, reporting directly to the Oireachtas, and will be central to the administration, development and protection of the State’s democratic processes and institutions.

Expertise

Darragh O’Brien, Minister for Housing, Local Government, and Heritage, said that Ms Justice Baker will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to this significant role in the operation and safeguarding of democratic processes.

“I urge the public to engage with the important, upcoming work of the commission in protecting and modernising our electoral landscape,” he said.