The Council of Europe is an international organisation which aims to uphold human rights, democracy, the rule of law in Europe and promote European culture.
It includes 47 member states, including the countries in the European Union. All Council of Europe members have signed up to the European Convention on Human Rights.
The Taoiseach nominated Senator O’Reilly to the role. Kn this new role, Joe will lead the Irish delegation on the Council of Europe. While the Council primarily focuses on issues relating to human rights.
An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar TD, has congratulated Senator Joe O’Reilly on his election as a Vice President of the Council of Europe.
Speaking today An Taoiseach said: “I would like to congratulate Joe on being elected as one of the Vice Presidents of the Council of Europe.
"This is the first time in a number of years that Ireland has had the opportunity to nominate someone to the role and it provides us with a very positive opportunity to represent Ireland’s interests.
“Joe has been a very active member of the Council of Europe since 2009, so I was very pleased to nominate him as Ireland’s Vice President, for a one year term. It gives him a unique opportunity to represent Ireland’s interests and I have no doubt that he will do so very effectively."
He added that the role "also provides a forum for to build relationships with European countries that are not members of the EU".
Senator O’Reilly told us: “I am delighted to have been elected as a Vice-President of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly.
"Having been nominated by An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar for this position and elected by the membership of the Parliamentary Assembly, I look forward to doing my utmost to ensure Ireland is well represented at the Council of Europe."
The Council of Europe comprises of representatives from 47 member states. "The Parliamentary Assembly is an important forum at which we engage with our colleagues from the other member countries to ensure Ireland’s interests are understood, and to tackle the issues facing all of our countries," he said.
He believes that in light of Brexit, the Council of Europe "provides us with a forum to engage with our British counterparts, and to ensure our European colleagues appreciate Ireland’s concerns, particularly as they relate to the border region."
He continues: “I will continue to work to ensure the concerns of the border region are heard, and acted upon, in the Brexit process, both as the Fine Gael Senator for Cavan- Monaghan and now as a Vice-President of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly.”
“This position affords me a great opportunity to represent and strengthen our communities in Cavan and Monaghan and, of course, our entire country at a time when the international challenges facing Ireland are so profound.”
Senator O’Reilly added: “With Brexit being one of the greatest challenges our country has faced in the last 50 years, my new position will enable me to engage further with representatives from other parliaments in the European Union and other European counties to represent the concerns of our local community and our country as a whole.
“I look forward to this new challenge, and to continuing to be a strong voice for Ireland in the Council of Europe.”