Human rights are the cornerstone of democratic society, defended in constitutions around the world and enshrined in international accords such as the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR). Recent developments have seen the courts striving to give full effect to these pre-eminent standards, while new legislative initiatives bolster the rights of the individual.
In Ireland, legislation that came into force at the end of 2003 gives further effect to the ECHR and incorporates it into domestic law. Convention rights can now be invoked directly before the Irish courts, and all state bodies are bound to observe its provisions. Conor Linehan of William Fry notes that the new regime might compromise the statutory immunity that certain government authorities enjoy in the exercise of their functions.
