Speech by President Connolly at launch of University of Galway Alumni - Dublin
Law Society of Ireland, 28 April 2026
A chairde, I am delighted to be with you, graduates of business and law, here in the Law Society, as we launch the first Dublin branch of the University of Galway Business and Law Alumni. May I thank Keith Walsh for the invitation to join you on this important occasion.
Alumni networks like yours are a crucial professional resource. They provide access to mentorship, allow for exchange of ideas and information, as well as career opportunities and professional development. I have no doubt that this alumni network will prove to be a valuable resource for all its members.
As graduates, you understand only too well how our legal system is the bedrock of our democracy, the very basis of a just and inclusive republic in which rights and laws are upheld, and the inherent dignity of every human being is recognised. These principles are clearly laid out in our Constitution.
Fundamental to our democracy is the principle of the separation of powers set out in Article 6 of the Constitution. The importance of that principle can never be taken for granted.
Unfortunately, more and more, we see the independence of the judiciary under threat in so many jurisdictions across the world, with sitting judges of national and international courts under threat and suffering sanctions simply for fulfilling their judicial mandate.
More specifically, in relation to the European Court of Human Rights – it’s President Mattias Guyomar felt obliged to confirm that “the separation of powers cannot be breached, that would be the end of democracy”.
Of course, underpinning our legal system is the right to access to justice. The public comments of Former Chief Justice Frank Clarke, amongst others, and the subsequent reports of the working group highlight the many barriers that remain to be overcome.
In this regard, I also note the publication of the long-awaited “Review of Legal Aid” last July. This consists of a minority and majority report and is essential reading. The review comprehensively lays out the barriers to justice and the costs of not providing access to justice. It is crystal clear from the research presented that it is the vulnerable who suffer the most when deprived of access to justice. In this context, World Bank research states that “access to justice is no less important to equitable and sustainable economic development than good schools, functioning hospitals and passable roads.”
In addition, integral to access to the courts is the constitutional protection given to the Irish language. Yet, over and over, it has been brought to our attention that serious obstacles remain for those wishing to exercise their fundamental right to have their case heard in Gaeilge.
Ar ndóigh, tá sé dochreidte go bhfuil muid fós ag caint faoi fadhbanna rochtana in ainneoin Airteagal 8 sa Bhunreacht.
Significantly, and very helpfully, we have a number of organisations such as the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, the Free Legal Advice Centre, and independent and community law centres throughout the country who do enormous work, continuously highlighting the gap between our Constitutional provisions and the lived experience of many. The Constitution, however, does not exist in a vacuum, but is part of an array of international conventions, courts and infrastructure, including the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Justice, the European Court of Human Rights, the European Court of Justice and international human rights bodies. These entities, one way or another, have had a very significant and profound effect on our own legislation and on Government policy.
Indeed, there have been a number of landmark judgments on a range of human rights issues such as access to legal aid, the Airey Case 1979, the Norris v Ireland Case which decriminalised homosexuality, and the Ireland v The United Kingdom 1971, the first international State case to be brought before the ECtHR and which broke new ground in the international protection of human rights. Of course, the ECtHR itself is a fundamental part of the Good Friday Agreement. Moreover, the Review of Civil Legal Aid just mentioned, came on foot of criticism from a number of quarters, including eight international human rights organisations.
There is no doubt that the law can be used as a positive force for change. There are any amount of examples, only some of which I have mentioned. That change can only be achieved, however, when the legal profession has both the courage and humility to constantly reflect and question on how it measures up to the fundamental principles and values set out in the Constitution and the international instruments. This responsibility does not rest with the legal profession alone, but also on individuals, the State and institutions.
That process of reflection, if it is to have any credibility, must encompass the nature of ties between our State, its institutions and those of States and organisations carrying out violations of human rights. In this regard I know that staff and students of the University of Galway have raised serious concerns over ties between the university and educational institutions in Israel. These concerns cannot be ignored, given our obligations under national and international law.
In conclusion, it would be remiss of me not to mention the importance of the Pro Bono work carried out by the legal profession over many years and which has gone some way to meeting the unmet legal needs which unfortunately continue to exist.
Mar fhocal scoir, guím gach rath oraibh cibé cén bhealach a roghnaíonn sibh amach anseo sa todhchaí.
Go raibh maith agaibh.