Tánaiste Appoints a New Member to the Credit Union Advisory Committee

Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Simon Harris TD, today announced the appointment of a new member to the Credit Union Advisory Committee (CUAC).

• Mr. Frankie Watters, Director, and Chair of the Strategy & Risk Committee of Dundalk Credit Union.

The CUAC is an important advisor to the Minister for Finance and the Minister of State with responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions, and Insurance.

The Tánaiste thanked the outgoing member, Professor Olive McCarthy, and congratulated Mr. Watters stating:

“I would like to congratulate Mr. Watters on his appointment to CUAC and I look forward to working with him and the other members of CUAC on credit union issues during an important time for the sector. I also wish to acknowledge the valuable contribution made by Professor McCarthy during her time on CUAC and wish her every success in the future.”

Minister of State with responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions, and Insurance, Robert Troy TD, thanked the CUAC for their ongoing work:

“I would like to thank CUAC for their ongoing work and I look forward to working closely with them on credit union issues. I would like to congratulate Mr. Watters on his appointment and want to thank Professor McCarthy for her significant contributions to CUAC.”

Notes to Editor

Credit Union Advisory Committee (CUAC)

The CUAC advises the Minister for Finance in accordance with its mandate under Section 180 of the Credit Union Act 1997. The CUAC’s statutory function is to advise the Minister for Finance and such other persons as the Minister thinks fit regarding:

• the improvement of the management of credit unions;
• the protection of the interests of members and creditors of credit unions; and
• other matters relating to credit unions upon which the Minister, the Central Bank or such other persons as may be specified by the Minister may from time to time seek the advice of the Committee.

The CUAC meets on a monthly basis in the Department of Finance, with the Department providing secretariat. It regularly invites Credit Union stakeholders to meetings to share their views on various topics.

Following the appointment of Mr. Watters, the full committee will comprise the following seven individuals from 1st January 2026:

• Ms Lorraine Corcoran, Chair of CUAC, Director Afanite, Lead - Personal Micro Credit Initiative
• Ms. Elizabeth Boylan, Chair, Board Oversight Committee, Progressive Credit Union
• Mr. Michael Byrne, CEO of Core Credit Union
• Ms. Therese Conway, CEO of Collaborative Finance CLG
• Mr. Diarmaid O’Keeffe, Head of Audit, EisnerAmper Ireland
• Professor Brian O’Kelly, Emeritus Professor of Finance at DCU Business School
• Mr. Frankie Watters, Director, and Chair of the Strategy & Risk Committee of Dundalk Credit Union.