Senator Joe O’Reilly

Mr Joe O’Reilly is Leas-Chathaoirleach of the Irish Senate and Member of the Sub-Committee on Children of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Mr O’Reilly has been a Teacher for more than 20 years. In the past 3 years has been actively involved in the Parliamentary Assembly pilot initiative on child participation, with particular focus on reports on “The right to be heard – Child participation: a foundation for democratic societies” (Rapporteur: Baroness Massey, United Kingdom, SOC) and “Inaction on climate change – a violation of children’s rights” (Rapporteur: Ms De Temmerman, France, ALDE). In this context, O’Reilly worked closely with Foróige, Youth Development Organisation, Ireland. O’Reilly is Outgoing Vice-President of the Council of Europe EPP Grouping, Former Vice President of Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe, and Leader of Irish Parliamentary Delegation to the Council of Europe 2009-2020.

He is a Member of the Irish Senate for a Third Term, Member of Dáil Éireann 2011 – 2016, Former Member of Cavan County Council, and Mayor of County Cavan 2004 – 2005. He is also Senate Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Trade, Member of Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Member of Seanad Special Committee on The Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. Mr O’Reilly has a MA hons degree from University College Dublin, a Higher Diploma In Education from Trinity College Dublin, a Diploma in Primary Education from St Patrick’s College Drumcondra and a Diploma In Law from the Dublin Institute of Education.