The Government has named Judge Anthony Collins for appointment as an Advocate General to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

The vacancy arises following the move of Advocate General Gerard Hogan to the Supreme Court.

Ireland is eligible to nominate a candidate to serve as an Advocate General to the Court of Justice for the remainder of Advocate General Hogan’s term, which expires on 8 October 2024.

Before the appointment can be made, Judge Anthony Collins will be assessed by the panel set up under article 255 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to confirm his suitability.

Expert panel

The nomination was made by Government following a process whereby an expert panel assisted in identifying persons interested in the nomination for the post.

Mr Justice Collins was educated at Trinity College Dublin BA (Mod) Legal Science 1984, and the King's Inns (BL) 1986.

The members of the expert panel were:

• Chair: Mr Justice Nial Fennelly (former Supreme Court judge and former Advocate General),
• Paul Gallagher SC (Attorney General), and
• Marie Cross (former ambassador, Department of Foreign Affairs). 

The panel established its own procedures and issued a public advertisement for applications.

Biographical background

Mr Justice Collins has been:

• A Judge at the General Court of the European Union (since September 2013),
• Senior Counsel (Bar of Ireland, from 2003 to 2013),
• Barrister (Bar of Ireland, from 1986 to 1990; and again from 1997 to 2003),
• Director, Irish Centre for European Law (Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, from 1986 to 1990; and again from 1997 to 2003), and
• Référendaire, Court of Justice of the European Communities (from 1990 to 1997).