Google manager appointed director of rights commission

The head of Google's social action division has been appointed director-designate of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. Sinéad Gibney will work alongside Emily Logan, who is leaving her role as Ombudsman for Children to serve as chief commissioner of the organisation.

The commission has been formed following the merger of the Equality Authority and the Irish Human Rights Commission and is charged with promoting the human rights and equal status in society.

Legislation providing for its formal establishment is due to be signed into law shortly. Ms Gibney is to take up the position on October 20th. The role will involve the day-to-day administration of the commission’s business, implementing its policies and serving as accounting officer.

Ms Gibney has worked as head of social action with Google for six years, having joined the company in 2006. She previously worked with PR firm Carr Communications, the charity Goal and as an e-learning specialist with Kilroy's College and Trinity College Dublin. She has been a non-executive board member of One Family, an organisation assisting single parents, for the last two years.

State bodies involved in the promotion of equality and human rights have suffered heavily as a result of public spending cuts.

Between 2008 and 2011, the number of cases supported by State equality and human rights bodies such as the Equality Authority and the Irish Human Rights Commission fell by up to 66 per cent.

Campaigners say the merger of bodies in this area has been the result of cynical cost-cutting, but the Government has insisted the moves will ensure their work is done in a more efficient and coherent way.