Dr. Delia Ferri has co-authored an article in a special issue of Federalismi with current PhD candidate Charles O’Sullivan, entitled ‘The Impact of the Economic Crisis on the Irish Legal System.Between Austerity and Constitutional Rhetoric’.
The article examines the primary reforms introduced in Ireland as a consequence of the Financial Crisis and Ireland’s adoption of the ‘Bailout Package’. It firstly looks at the reform process itself, emphasising the role played by the Irish executive, before highlighting the main austerity measures imposed as part of this process and their impact on social rights. It then looks at constitutional reforms undertaken by the Fine Gael/Labour coalition, and how these impacted on civil rights. The article ultimately argues that issues of formal equality were emphasised ahead of more substantive conceptions of the same, with marginalised and/or vulnerable groups often bearing the consequences of this focus.
Dr. Delia Ferri is a lecturer in law at Maynooth University Department of Law where she lectures International and European Disability Law and EU Law.
Charles O’Sullivan is a current PhD candidate at Maynooth University Department of Law.