Government nominates Advocate General to the Court of Justice of the European Union

At its meeting today, the Government agreed to nominate Judge Anthony Collins for appointment as an Advocate General to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

The vacancy arises following the Government Decision of 20 April 2021 to nominate Advocate General Gerard Hogan for appointment as an Ordinary Judge of 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 by the Member States, 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 for the post.

The nomination was made by Government following a process whereby an expert panel assisted in identifying persons interested in the nomination for the post, considering their suitability and reporting to Government.

Ends

Note for Editors

In line with previous such selection processes, an Expert Panel was established to assist with identifying eligible and qualified candidates interested in the post of Advocate General, considering their suitability, and making recommendations to the Government on preferred candidates.

The members of the Expert Panel were:

• The Hon. Mr. Justice Nial Fennelly (former Supreme Court judge and former Advocate General) who chaired the Panel;
• Mr. Paul Gallagher, S.C., Attorney General;
• Ms. Marie Cross, former Ambassador, Department of Foreign Affairs.

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

The candidate proposed by Ireland will be interviewed by the Panel set up under Article 255 of the TFEU. The Article 255 Panel's task is to give an opinion on the candidate’s suitability to perform the duties of Advocate General before the representatives of the Members States make a final decision on the appointment.

Limited biographical details:

• Judge, General Court of the European Union since September 2013.
• Senior Counsel, Bar of Ireland from 2003 to 2013.
• Barrister-at-Law, 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.
• Référendaire, Court of Justice of the European Communities from 1990 to 1997.
• Education:
• Trinity College Dublin B.A (Mod.) Legal Science 1984
• The Honorable Society of King's Inns (B.L.) 1986