Dr. Padraic Kenna

Dr. Pádraic Kenna
B.A. (Hons) (Warwick); Ph.D (N.U.I.)

Tel.: 353 (0)91 493230
Room 502, Floor 3, Tower 2
Office hours: Tuesday 2-4pm, or by appointment.
email: padraic.kennanuigalway.ie

Pádraic Kenna is a graduate of the School of Law, University of Warwick and holds a PhD from NUI. At University College London he studied the Law of Property Development and Company Law. He has worked with a range of statutory and other agencies in the UK and Ireland in an advocacy role and in the development and management of housing. Dr Kenna lectures in real property/land law, law of equity and trusts, Irish legal systems, sociology of law, housing law and policy, regulation, English land law, law of local government and other topics, to the LLB, BCL, LLM in Public Law and other graduate and post-graduate courses. He has examined international human rights and housing law with particular reference to the application of international and comparative legal instruments and norms to Irish housing law and policy, leading to Housing Rights and Human Rights (Brussels, FEANTSA, 2005) and Housing Law and Policy in Ireland, (Dublin, Clarus Press, 2005). His most recent publication Housing Law, Rights and Policy (Dublin, Clarus Press, 2011) provides a comprehensive examination and critical analysis of contemporary housing law and policy. Dr Kenna established, with others, the FEANTSA Expert Group on Housing Rights, in 2004, which led to the decision of the European Committee for Social Rights Collective Complaint relating to Article 31 of the European Social Charter by France (FEANTSA v France). A Member of the Editorial Advisory Board of both the International Journal of Law in the Built Environment andthe Irish Human Rights Law Review he was one of the Irish Legal Experts Group for the EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRALEX) until 2010. Dr Kenna is also affiliated to the NUI, Galway, Centre for Disability Law and Policy where he is engaged in research, teaching and PhD supervision. He joined the Law School in 2002.

Padraic was recently the subject of an opinon piece on housing law in the Galway City Tribune (June 2011).

CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS/INTERESTS

The development of socio-economic rights and their implementation in the areas of housing, land and property law and policy, across the national and regional systems and approaches is a key research interest. In this context the impact of rights on regulatory systems and processes forms a core focus. Dr Kenna also undertakes research in many areas of housing law and policy, such as new legislation, local government, regeneration, anti-social behaviour, particular housing needs and State responses, as well as implementation of law and policy by housing agencies. At an international level he is researching the impact of globalisation on housing and land law and policy, the development of international housing rights and international developments in housing law and policy, particularly at European level. 

Dr Kenna is active in research on disability rights, and the implementation of a rights-based approach, especially in relation to housing, land and property and is affiliated to the Centre for Disability Law and Policy at NUI Galway. Currently working with FEANTSA in developing a rights-based approach to housing policies across Europe, Dr Kenna is available for PhD supervision and welcomes applications/proposals from suitably qualified and interested PhD candidates in the areas of housing law and policy, land law, housing rights, socio-economic rights, globalization and housing rights, mortgages and housing finance, social housing, regulation, disability law and policy, law reform and related topics.

COURSES TAUGHT

• Housing Law and Policy
• Irish Legal Systems
• Land Law
• Sociology of Law
• Law of Local Government
• Regulation and Governance
• English Land Law

BOOKS PUBLISHED

• Kenna, P. (2011) Housing Law, Rights and Policy, Dublin: Clarus Press. 1137 pp. + lxxxvi.
• Kenna, P. (2011) The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, Dublin: Round Hall, ICLSA Series. 120 pp.
• Kenna, P. (2006) Los Derechos a la Vivienda y los Derechos Humanos: Barcelona: Prohabitatge. 255 pp.
• Kenna, P. (2006) Housing Law and Policy in Ireland.Dublin: Clarus Press. 387 pp + xxxvi.
• Kenna, P. (2005) Housing Rights and Human Rights. Brussels: FEANTSA. 206 pp.
• Kenna, P. with Uhry, M. (2005) Le logement - Dans les outils du droit international. Lyon: Mario Mella. 103 pp.

CHAPTERS IN BOOKS

• Kenna, P. “Modernizando las Tenencias en Alquiler en Irlanda” in Nasarre-Aznar, S. & Simon-Moreno, H. (eds.) (2011) El Acceso a La Vivienda en un Contexto de Crisis, Edisofer: Madrid.
• Kenna, P. “Can international housing rights based on public international law really impact on contemporary housing systems?” in Fox, L, & Sweeney, J. (eds.) (2011) The Idea of Home in Law - Displacement and Dispossession. Ashgate: Farnham, Surrey.
• Kenna, P. “Local Authorities and the European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003” in O” Connell, D. (ed.) (2010) Irish Human Rights Law Review, Dublin, Clarus Press.
• Kenna, P. “Law, Property, Housing and Environmental Law, in Kilkelly, U (ed.)(2nd ed.) (2009) ECHR and Irish Law, Bristol, Jordans.
• Kenna, P. “International Standards and Mechanisms on the Right to Social Security”, in Nandini, C.P. (ed.) (2007). The Right to Social Security – International Perspectives. Hyderabad: The ICFAI University Press.
• Kenna, P. “The ECHR Act 2003 and Land, Environmental and Housing Law in Ireland” chapter in Kilkelly U. (ed.) (2004) The European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003. Bristol: Jordans.
• Kenna, P. “Housing Rights in Ireland”, chapter in Leckie, S. (ed.) (2003)  National Perspectives on Housing Rights, The Hague, Kluwer Law International.
• Kenna, P. “A Right to Housing: Is it More than a Mere Right to Shelter in Market Societies like Ireland?” in Housing Rights: a New Agenda.  Dublin: Threshold. 2003.
• Co-author chapter in Degener & Quinn (eds). (2002) Human rights for all; A Study on the current use and future potential of UN human rights instruments in the context of disability. Geneva: OHCHR.

REFEREED JOURNALS

• Kenna. P. (2010) “Can housing rights be applied to modern housing systems?” International Journal of Law of the Built Environment, Vol. 2, Issue 2, 103-117.
• Kenna, P. The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, (2010) 15(2) CPLJ 26.
• Kenna, P. (2010) “International Instruments on Housing Rights, (US) Journal of Legal Affairs Dispute Resolution Engineering Construction Vol. 2, Issue 1, 11-21.
• Kenna, P. (2008), “Globalization and Housing Rights”, (US) Indiana Journal of Global Legal Studies, Vol. 15, Issue, 2, 397-469.
• Kenna, P. (2008) “Housing Rights: Positive Duties and Enforceable Rights at the European Court of Human Rights”, European Human Rights Law Review, Vol. 13, Issue 2, 193-208.
• Kenna, P. (2005) “Housing Rights - the New Benchmarks for Housing Policy in Europe?” (US) The Urban Lawyer, Winter, 2005. Volume 37, Number 1. 87-111.
• Kenna, P. (2004) “Will the European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003 affect Local Government in Ireland?” The Irish Journal of European Law, Volume 11, Number 2, 193-480.

REPORTS

• Kenna, P. (2011) “Housing and Human Rights” in The International Encyclopaedia of Housing and Home. Elsevier B.V.
• Kenna, P. (2009) (with Orla Crowe,) Four Legal Briefings on: Equality; Traveller; Anti-social Behaviour; European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003. Dublin: Centre for Housing Research.
• (with Mikkola, M. & Mullen, T.) Council of Europe, Recommendation of the Commissioner for Human Rights on the implementation of the right to housing Strasbourg, 30 June 2009 CommDH(2009)5. https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc.jsp?id=1463737&Site=CM
• Council of Europe, Commissioner for Human Rights, Housing Rights: The Duty to Ensure Housing for All, CommDH/IssuePaper(2008)1  https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc.jsp?id=1292391&Site=CommDH&BackColorInternet=FEC65B&BackColorIntranet=FEC65B&BackColorLogged=FFC679
• Kenna, P. Housing rights: positive duties and enforceable rights (focus on international standards”, chapter in Revista Europa de Derechos Fundamentales. No. 12/2° semestre 2008.Valencia, Spain: Fundación Profesor Manuel Broseta.
• (with O’ Connell, Griffin & Dewhurst), Thematic National Legal Study on Rights of Irregular Immigrants in Voluntary and Involuntary Return Procedures – Ireland, (EU Fundamental Rights Agency-FRALEX, 2009).
• (with O’ Connell, Griffin & Crowley), Thematic Legal Study on Impact of Race Equality Directive - Ireland, (EU Fundamental Rights Agency-FRALEX, 2009).
• (with O’ Connell, Griffin & Talbot), Thematic Legal Study on Assessment of Data Protection Measures and Relevant Institutions – Ireland, (EU Fundamental Rights Agency-FRALEX, 2009). Available in PDF.
• (with O’ Connell, Griffin & Talbot), Thematic Legal Study on National Human Rights Institutions and Human Rights Organisations – Ireland, (EU Fundamental Rights Agency-FRALEX, 2008). Available in PDF.
• (with O’ Connell, Griffin & Crowe), Thematic Study on Child Trafficking – Ireland, (EU Fundamental Rights Agency-FRALEX, 2008). Available in PDF.
• (with O’ Connell & Griffin), Thematic Legal Study on Homophobia and Discrimination on Grounds of Sexual Orientation – Ireland, (EU Fundamental Rights Agency-FRALEX, 2008). Available in PDF.
• Kenna, P. & MacNeela, P. Housing and Refugees – the Real Picture, Research Report on housing needs of refugees in Dublin. Dublin: Vincentian Refugee Centre. 2004.
• Kenna, P. “FEANTSA v. France. Analysis of the Collective Complaint on Housing Rights at Council of Europe”. Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions. (2008) Geneva. Housing and ESC Rights Quarterly. vol. 5. no. 3.

SELECTION OF CONFERENCE PAPERS AND PRESENTATIONS

• “Social rights in the case law of the European Court of Justice and the impact of the EU Fundamental Rights Charter”, Keynote Speaker, Migration and Housing Rights in Europe Conference, The Hague University, The Netherlands, May, 2011.
• “The concept of “adequate” housing in the jurisprudence of international housing rights across Europe” Legal Change in European housing, land and planning law, European Network of Housing Research, Legal Aspects on Housing, Land and Planning Conference, Granada, Spain, March, 2011.
• ‘Rights to Adequate Housing within UN instruments, European Social Charter and Revised Charter, European Convention on Human Rights and other instruments’, Office of Public Defender, Tbilisi, Georgia, February 2011.
• ‘Housing Rights (incl. Right to Housing, Privacy and Family Life) Faculty of Law, Lund University, Sweden, November 2010.
• ‘Anti-Social Behaviour – Symptoms, Solutions, Strategies - Implications for Local Authorities, Tenants/Residents and Housing Associations’, Portlaoise,  RESPOND HA Conference, September 2010.
• International Human Rights Expert at Human Rights Hearing – Rialto Rights in Action, Dolphins Barn, Dublin, May 2010.
• “The Housing Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2010 – An Outline”, Ballymun Civic Centre/ Ballymun Community Law Centre, May 2010.
• “Institutions in Irish law to improve access to a home”, International Conference on Housing, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain, May 2010.
• “The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009: Review of Key Provisions and Changes” Conference on Legal Issues Facing Housing Authorities in 2010, Law Library, Distillery Building, Dublin, May, 2010.
• “International Mechanisms for Enforcing Housing Rights”, Irish Human Rights Commission/ Law Society of Ireland Conference, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights – Making States Accountable, Dublin, November 2009.
• “Are housing rights advocates overlooking the home, as well as missing some key aspects?” Conference onHome: Displacement and Dispossession. University of Durham, June 2009.
• “Contemporary Developments in Housing Rights in Europe”, School of Law, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachussets, US, May 2009.
• “Housing Rights in Europe”, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain, March 2009.
• “Financial crisis, recovery plans, and their impact on the housing market” - CECODHAS Seminar - The recovery plans in the EU Member States and the place of housing/social housing. Brussels, January 2009.
• “The Impact of FEANTSA v. France Collective Complaint Decision of the European Committee on Social Rights”, Faculty of Law, University of Barcelona. September, 2008.
• “What can Housing Rights offer European Housing research?” European Network of Housing Researchers Conference, Dublin, July 2008.
• “Property, Equality and Housing Rights.” Equality, Legislation and the Constitution Conference, NUI, Galway, October 2007.
• “Statement on Jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights.” Expert Workshop. Housing Rights: Positive Duties and Enforceable Rights. Commissioner for Human Rights, Council of Europe. Budapest, September 2007.
• “Human Rights and Minimum Standards.” Minimum income schemes and the integration of people excluded from the labour market - Stakeholder Conference, Brussels, European Commission, June 2007.
• Housing Rights and International Standards”, International panel on housing rights, Participation and the Practice of Rights Conference, Belfast, June 2007.
• “Human Rights and Housing Law and Policy in the European Union” Research Seminar, Faculty of Law, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, April 2007.
• "Globalisation and Housing Rights", EU Presidency Housing Rights in Europe Conference. Helsinki, Finland. September 2006.
• "The Housing Act 1966 - Is it time for new one?" Ballymun Community Law Centre, July 2006.
• "Legal Regulation in the Housing Area" Academy of Justice of the Russian Federation, Training on the European Convention on Human Rights and Housing, St. Petersburg, June 2006.
• “Housing Rights in Europe.” University of Barcelona, Faculty of Law, June 2006.
• "The adequacy of the open method of coordination for improving the fundamental rights policy of the Union.” Seminar on Reflexive Governance: A Fundamental Rights Policy in the Public Interest: The Decentralized Implementation of Fundamental Rights in a Single Area. Brussels, March 2006.
• “The Right to Housing Assistance – What does it mean?” European Conference. Building Social Policies on Fundamental Rights. EU Social Platform. Brussels, October 2005.
• “The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and Housing”, European Social Housing Week, CECODHAS, the European Liaison Committee for Social Housing, Brussels, October 2005.
• “Housing Rights and Housing Association Special Needs Housing Provision.” Presentation to Brothers of Charity Training Seminar, Gort, October 2005.
• “The Impact of the European Convention on Human Rights on Social Housing Policy and Practice in Ireland”. Keynote Address, Irish Council for Social Housing, Biennial National Social Housing Conference, Sligo, September 2005.
• “Progressing Socio-Economic Rights.” Presentation to Amnesty International (Ireland) High Level Discussion Group on Socio-Economic Rights, Dublin, March 2005.
• “Housing Rights as the New Benchmarks for Housing Policy in Europe”.Conference of European Network of Housing Researchers, Cambridge University, July 2004.
• “The Right to Social Security.” EU-China Human Rights Project Seminars, University of Essex, April, 2004.
• “Implications for Local Authorities of the ECHR Act 2003.” Human Rights Commission and Law Society of Ireland, European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003 Review and Human Rights in Committed Relationships, Conference, October 2004.
• Presentation to the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution on Constitutional Issues relating to Building Land and Housing, July 2003.
• “Implementing UN Human Rights norms in Housing and Homelessness” Participation and the Practice of Rights Conference, Dundalk, December 2002.
• “Towards Rights to Housing in Ireland.” Irish Social Policy Association, 4th Annual Conference, Social and Economic Rights, Challenges and Opportunities for Social Policy, DCU, 2002.
• “Rights to Housing in Ireland.” Conference of European Network of Housing Researchers, Vienna University, June 2002.
• Submission to UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Geneva) in connection with the 2nd Periodic Report on Ireland, April 2002.

OTHER INFORMATION

• Member of Editorial Advisory Board of International Journal of Law in the Built Environment.
• Member Editorial Advisory Board of Irish Human Rights Law Review.
• Member of Irish Legal Experts Group for EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRALEX) (2006-10)
• Member of the Disability Law and Policy Centre at NUI Galway.
• Member of Expert Group appointed by Council of Europe, Office of the Commissioner on Human Rights, to develop Housing Rights Guidelines. (2007-9).
• Board Member and Treasurer of Irish Council for Social Housing 1997-2004.
• Member of la Fédération Européenne des Associations Nationales Travaillant avec les Sans-Abri (FEANTSA) EU-wide Expert Group on Housing Rights.
• Member of the European Network of Housing Researchers.
• Visiting lecturer to Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain, Northeastern University, Boston, Mass., University of Lund, Sweden.
• Member Irish Association of Law Teachers.

• Disclaimer
• Privacy
• Copyright
• Accessibility