The Government has approved the nomination of Liam Herrick to become Chief Commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC).

Herrick, who has been executive director at the Irish Council for Civil Liberties since 2016, was selected through an open competition by the Public Appointment Service (PAS).

Under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014, commission members must be approved through resolutions of both Houses of the Oireachtas before being formally appointed by President Higgins.

Expertise

IHREC member Lucy Michael said that the human-rights body “warmly welcomed” Herrick’s proposal as the next Chief Commissioner.

“Liam is a former member of the commission, and has demonstrated his commitment, leadership, and expertise in the areas of human rights and equality over many years,” she said.

“We look forward to his appointment to lead the commission for the next five years, subject to approval by the Oireachtas and formal appointment by the President,” she added.

Herrick would succeed Sinéad Gibney, who resigned her position earlier this year to seek a nomination to run in the European elections in June.