A new diploma in human rights law in UCD was launched in Newman House, Dublin, last night by Ms Cherie Booth QC. Ms Booth is a member of the Matrix chambers in London, which specialises in human rights law.
The diploma will provide participants with an in-depth knowledge of the European Convention on Human Rights.
This will shortly be incorporated into Irish law. When the Bill is passed, it will mean Irish courts will have to take account of the convention and the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights in interpreting Irish law.
Speaking at the launch of the diploma, the Attorney General, Mr Rory Brady SC, said the availability of the diploma would expand the opportunities for practising lawyers and others to inform themselves on this increasingly important area of the law.
"The demands in the future on our legal system and our administration will be such that we must ensure, for the proper vindication of human rights, that there is a fully resourced educational system available to those who practise law, in the public and private sector, and beyond," he said.
Ms Booth will speak today at a conference in UCD on "European Convention on Human Rights: English, Scottish and Irish Perspectives".
Other speakers at the conference include Prof Conor Gearty, professor of human rights law in the London School of Economics; Ms Suzanne Egan, lecturer in international and European human rights law in UCD and a member of the Irish Human Rights Commission; Mr Aidan O'Neill QC, who specialises in European and human rights law in Edinburgh; and Mr Murray Hunt, also a member of the Matrix chambers and the author of Using Human Rights Law in the English Courts.
During her visit to Ireland, Ms Booth also attended a number of events involving children and adults with special needs.
These included a visit to the Angel's Quest home in Glenageary, Co Dublin. This is a respite service for the carers of children with intellectual disabilities. Two other such centres, in Tallaght and Galway, are due to be opened in the next few years.
Ms Booth also launched an event for the Special Olympics. This was the Bank of Ireland Host Town of the Month awards.
Ms Celia Larkin and the chairman of the 2003 World Games, Mr Denis O'Brien, also attended the event, which was chaired by Ms Ann Hickey, who will be an athlete at the Games.