President criticises university’s links to Israel
Speaking at the launch of the University of Galway alumni association at Blackhall Place, President Catherine Connolly has spoken critically about the college’s links to Israel.
The university campus is involved in a research partnership on green energy with the Israel Institute of Technology Technion, based in Haifa.
President Connolly said that she “noted the concerns” of the staff and students and wider community in Galwey city on the issue.
They had “identified themselves as a campus anti-genocide coalition,” she said.
“Those concerns cannot be ignored, given our obligations under both national and international law,” she stated.
The president was speaking at the Law Society (28 April) at the launch of the Dublin branch of the business and law alumni association.
President Connolly is a BA graduate of the University of Galway (1977) and later took an LLM at the college.
Networks
In her speech, she emphasised the importance of alumni networks for mentorship and professional development.
She also highlighted the critical role the legal system in a democracy and threats to judicial independence.
Access to legal aid was essential in a democracy, she continued, pointing to Mr Justice Frank Clarke’s comments in the recent working group review, which underscored the economic and social costs of inadequate access to justice.
The World Bank had reached similar conclusions about access to justice, the president said, which is no less important than good schools, functioning hospitals, for sustainable development.
She stated that "serious obstacles" remain for those wishing to exercise their fundamental righrt to have their case heard in Irish, which is a constitutional protection given to the language.
President Connolly pointed to the importance of the European Court of Human Rights in the Good Friday Agreement and sustained pressure from international human-rights organisations that led to the review of legal aid.
The President highlighted the positive impact on civil society organisations such as FLAC and independent and community law centres in promoting access to justice in Ireland.
“There is no doubt in my mind that law can be used for positive change,” she said, pointing to changes brought about through case law.
This happens when the profession has both the “courage and the humility” to constantly reflect, she stated.
President Connolly praised the quality of law lecturers at the University of Galway and the great mix of ages and backgrounds on campus.
She also praised the impact of pro bono work carried out by the legal profession over many years.
FLAC chief executive Eilis Barry welcomed the comments made by President Connolly at the Law Society and stated:
“We are disappointed that there has been no progress on reforming the civil legal aid system, nor has any timeline been provided by Government for responding to the reports.
“Urgent action from Government is needed to avoid a collapse of the civil legal aid system,” she said.