Irish Ombudsman and Information Commissioner Emily O'Reilly has been elected EU Ombudsman with the support of 359 MEPs. A majority of the European Parliament voted for her to succeed Nikiforos Diamandouros in Strasbourg this morning.
Six candidates from across Europe, including 3 MEPs, were in the running for the position and Ms. O'Reilly secured a majority of the votes in the third round of voting.
She will continue in her role as Ombudsman and Information Commissioner until October 1st; then she will formally take over as European Ombudsman.
The Director-General of the Offices of the Ombudsman and Information Commissioner, Ms. Bernadette McNally, congratulated Ms. O'Reilly on her appointment.
Meanwhile in the Dail TDs have paid tribute to Emily O'Reilly following her new appointment.
Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams and Minister Richard Bruton have all offered their congratulations.
Watch an advert for the Ombudsman below:
While Independent MEP Marian Harkin has hailed her election, highlighting her "flawless campaign which struck the right chord with a majority of MEPs" and urging her to "transform the visibility of this important EU role in the eyes of European citizens".
MEP Harkin said that "Emily has all the necessary attributes required to be successful in this key EU position, and during various meetings with MEPs from all political groupings she has impressed greatly with her knowledge and competence".
"Emily pledged to increase the public and media awareness of the EU Ombudsman's Office, and I believe this was the key added value that MEPs perceived in her campaign" she added.
The European Ombudsman is an independent and impartial body that investigates complaints about mal-administration in EU institutions, bodies, offices, and agencies.
The only body that falls out of Ms. Reilly's mandate will be the Court of Justice of the European Union, acting in its judicial capacity. The Ombudsman can find mal-administration if an institution fails to respect fundamental rights, legal rules or principles, or the principles of good administration.
Twitter reaction
Tweets congratulating Emily O'Reilly are pouring in:
P. Nikiforos Diamandouros congratulates Emily O'Reilly on her election as European Ombudsman http://t.co/vLFMzRCTkN #EUombudsman
— European Ombudsman (@EUombudsman) July 3, 2013
Media release: Outstanding victory for Irish Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly #EUombudsman » http://t.co/2gUaQGNTCm via @NChildersMEP
— Nessa Childers MEP (@NChildersMEP) July 3, 2013
Comhghairdeas Emily O'Reilly. She's been elected European Ombudsman, a well deserved honour after her great work in Ireland
— Dessie Ellis (@DessieEllisTD) July 3, 2013
Congratulations to Emily O'Reilly on being elected our new European Ombudsman.The first Irish person and the first woman! Well done!
— Womenscouncilireland (@NWCI) July 3, 2013
Emily O'Reilly elected #EU #Ombudsman with 359 votes
— Sean Kelly MEP (@SeanKellyMEP) July 3, 2013
