January 2007 US Supreme Court Judge to address NUI Galway Law Society

NUI Galway is pleased to announce a visit by US Supreme Court Judge Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the University on Wednesday 31st January 2007.

Justice Ginsburg will meet with NUI Galway President Dr Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh before addressing the University's Law Society in a special session, An Evening with Justice Ginsburg, at the O'Flaherty Theatre at 8.00pm.

Justice Ginsburg's visit continues the strong relationship the Law Society at NUI Galway has developed with the judiciary of the most powerful court in the United States. Welcoming her to the University, Donncha O'Connell, Dean of Law says: "It is a tremendous credit to our students that they succeeded in securing a visit from a US judge of such eminence as Justice Ginsburg. The Faculty of Law is honoured by her visit to NUI Galway and we look forward with great interest and enthusiasm to learning from her unique insights as a distinguished member of, arguably, the most important court in the world."

The event will be hosted by Today FM broadcaster and practicing barrister Ted Harding, who will interview Justice Ginsburg. The audience will then be invited to take part in a Question and Answer session with the Supreme Court judge.

The Brooklyn-born judge became only the second woman to serve on the Supreme Court when nominated by President Bill Clinton in 1993. Her refusal during confirmation hearings to answer questions regarding her personal views on issues such as abortion, gay rights or hypothetical situations as a Supreme Court Justice became known as the Ginsburg Precedent.

Among her most notable judgements is her dissenting opinion in the infamous Bush v Gore case which effectively decided the 2000 US Presidential election. She also challenged the Bush administration in the Guantanamo detainee case, Hamdi v Rumsfeld, by voting against the majority when the court allowed the President to declare an American citizen an enemy combatant.

An Evening with Justice Ginsburg is open to the public and those wishing to secure tickets should contact the NUI Galway Societies Box Office on 091 492852.

For further information contact: Jacqueline Hogge, NUI Galway Press Office Email: jacqueline.hogge@nuigalway.ie Tel: 00353 91 493361