Labour Party president and former Galway West TD Michael D Higgins has given his backing to the Seanad Éireann election campaign of NUIG law lecturer Donncha O’Connell.
Mr O’Connell, who lectures in the School of Law at NUIG and is the former director of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, is running on the NUI Panel in the Seanad election which ends on April 27.
His campaign is emphasising democratic renewal through constitutional reform and a progressive approach to human rights and equality.
In his statement of support for Mr O’Connell, Michael D Higgins said: “While the Seanad is in need of reform, Donncha is somebody who would have a real contribution to make not only on the issue of reform, but on so much more.
“He has not only been an inspiring university teacher, but he has given service of inestimable value in the public area – on human rights, disability, and constitutional and political reform. He has done this with generosity and commitment at local, national, and international level.
“I strongly support his candidature and respectfully ask you to give him your number one vote. Donncha would make a great senator – one whose Seanad contributions I am certain we will all be proud of.”
Mr O’Connell’s campaign has also received the endorsement of the former CEO of the Equality Authority, Niall Crowley, and prominent disability rights expert and campaigner, Prof Gerard Quinn.
Mr Crowley said Mr O’Connell has “a key contribution to make to Seanad Éireann and to Irish political debate”.
“He offers a voice informed and shaped by active involvement in the struggles for a new and better Ireland,” Mr Crowley said. “I admired the courage, integrity and effectiveness Donncha brought to his leadership of the Irish Council of Civil Liberties on a broad range of human rights issues.”
Prof Gerard Quinn said: “We need people in the Senate who will not just follow but lead. We need leadership now more than ever to renew the Republic – to remind us of the values that led to the foundation of the State almost a hundred years ago. Donncha O’Connell has the vision, energy, and moral courage to help provide that leadership.”
Labour Galway West TD Derek Nolan has also come out in support of Mr O’Connell.
“I have known Donncha for many years and know him to be a principled and thoughtful person,” he said. “I will always recall as a young student, watching Donncha tackle renowned arch-conservative US Judge Antonin Scalia at a public meeting in NUIG.
“While others deferred and fawned, Donncha spoke his mind and offered a harsh critique of the Judge’s decisions. It is that kind of independence, honesty and outspokenness that we need in what will possibly be the last Seanad.”
