Linda Ervine among President’s appointments to Council of State

By Grainne Ni Aodha, Press Association

President Catherine Connolly has appointed Irish language activist Linda Ervine and Professor Colin Harvey to her Council of State.

Connolly made seven appointments to the body which assists the Irish President in considering various matters.

The President of Ireland must first consult with the Council of State before referring legislation passed by the Dáil to the Supreme Court over constitutional concerns.

The president can also communicate directly with the Dáil on a matter of public importance after consultation with the Council of State.

Ervine, who is from east Belfast, is the manager of the first Irish language centre to be based in a loyalist area.

She is also the founder of Scoil na Seolta, the first integrated school to teach through the medium of Irish.

Harvey is a professor of human rights law and a former head of the School of Law at Queen’s University Belfast.

He is also a commissioner on the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, has served two terms as a commissioner on the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, and is a member of the Scientific Committee of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency.

Along with Ervine and Harvey, Connolly appointed law professor and Irish speaker Fionnuala Ni Aolain, sociologist Kathleen Lynch, law professor and the Legal Aid Board member Donncha O’Connell, law professor and director of the Child Law Clinic Conor O’Mahony and former president of Ollscoil na Gaillimhe/University of Galway, Ciaran O hOgartaigh.

Connolly said in a statement: “May I thank each of the nominees who have agreed to serve as a member of the Council of State.

“These seven members bring a unique expertise and range of experience to the Council of State which will be of immense value in considering the matters which may arise over the course of my term of office.

“I look forward to receiving their advice and support over the next seven years.”

The Council of State also consists of the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the Chief Justice, the president of the Court of Appeal, the president of the High Court, the Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann, the Cathaoirleach of Seanad Eireann, and the Attorney General.

It also comprises previous presidents, taoisigh and chief justices.