Tánaiste and Minister for Justice provides opening address at DCU Socio-Legal Research Centre

A recent conference at Dublin City University examined the role and impact of state policy towards vulnerable people and groups in Irish society, discussing, among other issues, the current legislation on abortion in Ireland and the response of the state to “historic” abuse including the Magdalene Laundries and clerical sex abuse.

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald provided the opening address at the second biennial conference of the DCU Socio-Legal Research Centre (SLRC) on September 9th.

The topic, State Accountability for Vulnerability, examined the concept of human vulnerability and how people may experience periods of vulnerability in some shape or form during their lifespan.

It looked at the impact of current legislation on people when they are in various states of vulnerability and the responsibility of the state.

The conference also considered how an integrated approach across all legal, social and political institutions can benefit these vulnerable individuals and society as a whole.

The one-day event included presentations from international and national law experts, non-governmental and human rights organisations on topics such as the state policy concerning hate crime legislation and violence against sex workers in Ireland; children in the care of the state; transgender children and young people in Ireland; public policy and the family, and prison and punishment.

Judge Mary Ellen Ring, High Court of Ireland and Chairperson of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission of Ireland were among those chairing panel discussions along with Tanya Ward, Children’s Rights Alliance and Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, TD, Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice and Equality.

Selected speakers included:

• Professor Titti Mattsson, Lund University who looked at the usefulness of a vulnerability theory in law and public policy.

• Noeline Blackwell, CEO Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, Adjunct Professor DCU.

• Ann Power-Forde, SC Judge of the European Court of Human Rights (2008-15) who presented on reflections on “vulnerability” as a factor in the assessment of claims before the European Court of Human Rights.

• Professor Federico Fabbrini, DCU SLRC discussed accountability for gross human rights violations committed in the fight against terrorism.

• Dr Vicky Conway, Lecturer in the DCU School of Law and Government and a member of the Policing Authority. Dr Conway examined the ways in which abortion and related services are criminalised in Ireland.

• Dr James Gallen, DCU SLRC looked at state accountability for historical abuse.

• Majella Twomey, BL, member of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal examined the issue of migration and asylum.

• Dr Tanya Ní Mhuirthile, DCU SLRC, looked at the impact of recent reforms in law on LGBT Rights in Ireland and the impact of this on the rights of vulnerable inter-sex people.