Former FF minister among those appointed to independent electoral body

The Government has approved four members — including a former Fianna Fáil minister — of the first independent Electoral Commission, the new body which will oversee elections and referendums in the State.

The commission, which was long advocated by many political scientists and observers, was set up by recent legislation but its operations have not yet been formally commenced. However, it is expected that the commission will formally begin its work in January.

Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting approved four members of the new commission, as well as an interim chief executive — top civil servant Art O’Leary, who will serve until a permanent candidate is selected by the public appointments system.

The four new members are John Curran, Maura Quinn, Alex Attwood and Caroline Fennell.

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The Government said that Mr Curran “will bring a wealth of political and administrative experience, having served as a minister of State, a TD, and as a local authority member. He also brings expertise in political campaigning.”

He served as a minister of State and then chief whip in the Fianna Fáil-Green coalition under Brian Cowen, losing his seat in 2011 but regaining it in 2016, before losing it again in 2020.

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The Government said that Ms Quinn “will provide the benefit of her expertise in corporate governance, regulatory affairs and financial matters. She has over 25 years’ experience as a chief executive across a range of sectors.”

She also conducted a review of the abandoned nomination of Dr Tony Holohan to a position at Trinity College earlier this year. The proposed appointment caused a political storm and recrimination in Government, some of it involving secretary general of the Department of Health Robert Watt. Ms Quinn was asked to conduct a report into the affair which was completed last July. Despite promises from the Department of Health that the report would be published, it still remains under wraps in the department.

Mr Attwood is a former MLA for West Belfast and was previously a member of the UK electoral commission. Prof Fennell is a professor emeritus of law in UCC.

Prof Fennell is a Professor Emeritus of Law in UCC, and is a member of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.