Derry academic Colin Harvey appointed to Irish Council of State

President Catherine Connolly has appointed the Derry-born human rights academic, Professor Colin Harvey, to the Council of State.

Professor Harvey, a Professor of Human Rights Law at Queen’s University Belfast, was one of seven new members named by the President on Tuesday.

He joins a distinguished group of appointees, including East Belfast Irish language activist Linda Ervine, sociologist Kathleen Lynch, former President of the University of Galway Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh and fellow law professors Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, Donncha O’Connell and Conor O’Mahony.

The Derry man is a Professor of Human Rights Law in the School of Law, Queen's University Belfast, a Commissioner on the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and a member of the Scientific Committee of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency.

He is a former Head of the Law School at Queen's and served two terms as a Commissioner on the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.

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He has an extensive and distinguished record of leadership, scholarship, public service and civic engagement in the fields of constitutional and human rights law over a 30-year career in higher education.

President Connolly said: “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.”

In addition to the President’s seven nominees, the Council of State also consists of the following members: Ex-officio members: 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 Éireann, and the Attorney General.

Every person able and willing to act as a member of the Council of State who has previously held the office of President, Taoiseach or Chief Justice.

The new members were appointed in accordance with Article 31 of the Constitution.

Prof. Harvey has been a vocal campaigner for Irish unity, for the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, and for an extension of the franchise in Presidential elections to Irish citizens in Derry and the North.