Ministers O'Brien and Dooley welcome appointment of new Chief Executive Officer to Inland Fisheries Ireland
- Published on: 18 March 2026
- Last updated on: 18 March 2026
Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O'Brien and Minister of State Timmy Dooley today welcomed the appointment of Dr Eamonn Kelly as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI).
The appointment was made in accordance with section 23 of the Inland Fisheries Act, 2010, following an open recruitment process conducted by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of the Board of IFI.
Minister O'Brien said:
"I am pleased to confirm the appointment of Dr Eamonn Kelly as the new CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland. I wish him every success in his new position. The CEO will play a key role in supporting the Board and staff as IFI continues to strengthen its governance, organisational capability and delivery of its statutory functions."
Minister Dooley welcomed the appointment – saying:
"I wish to congratulate Dr Eamonn Kelly on his appointment as the next CEO of IFI. The CEO plays a central role in delivery of IFI’s statutory functions and in leading implementation of its Statement of Strategy, and I look forward to working closely with Eamonn in ensuring the sustainable management of our rivers, lakes and fisheries for future generations."
IFI is a statutory body operating under the aegis of the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment and was established under the Inland Fisheries Act in July 2010. Its principal functions include the protection, management and conservation of the inland fisheries resources – a precious natural resource that form part of our cultural, environmental and economic identity. Ireland has over 74,000 kilometres of freshwater rivers and streams, 128,000 hectares of lakes, and extensive sea-angling resources within the national 12 nautical mile limit.
The Ministers thanked the IFI Board and the Public Appointments Service for their work in bringing the recruitment process to a successful conclusion.
The new CEO will take up the position on 13 April.
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Notes to the Editor
Dr Eamonn Kelly
Dr Eamonn Kelly takes up post at Inland Fisheries Ireland from An Coimisiún Pleanála. He holds a BSc and a PhD in Zoology, both from the University of Galway, and a Diploma in Corporate Governance. Dr Kelly worked for 12 years at the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and managed the delivery of research and advice in relation to the conservation and restoration of protected species and aquatic habitats. He has also worked in inshore fisheries development. He has previously served as a principal officer in the Civil Service, and as an Irish diplomat to the EU.