President Catherine Connolly: 'These seven members bring a unique expertise and range of experience to the Council of State.' Photograph: Charles McQuillan/GettyPresident Catherine Connolly has appointed academics, legal experts and activists in the areas of human rights and the Irish language as members of the Council of State. The President appoints seven members of the Council of State, which also has members including current and former taoisigh and chief justices. Another Council of State appointee, Colin Harvey, is a professor of human rights law at Queen’s University Belfast and a Commissioner on the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. She previously served as a member of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) from 2020 to 2025.

Source: The Irish Times April 01, 2026 12:14 UTC