Statement in relation to the Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI)

Following the resignations of five members from the Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) since April 2022, including the recent resignation of the Chair, and the consequent inability of IFI to carry out its functions effectively, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, has exercised his powers under Section 18 of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010 and has removed the current members of IFI on a no-fault basis. The Minister thanked outgoing board members for their service to IFI.

Minister Ryan intends to appoint new members of IFI, in accordance with the provisions of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010, as soon as possible.

To ensure that IFI is in a position to perform its functions effectively as quickly as possible, Minister Ryan has also used his powers under Section 18(5) of the Act to appoint Mr Tom Barry and Mr Seamus Neely to perform the functions of IFI pending the appointment of a new, full Board through the statutory appointments process, with the support of the Public Appointments Service (PAS).

In addition to the core functions of IFI, set out under Section 7 of the Inland Fisheries Act, Minister Ryan has instructed Mr Barry and Mr Neely to prioritise the full and prompt consideration of a number of protected disclosures which are understood to have been received by IFI in recent months. These could not be progressed by the Board of IFI as a result of the recent resignations. As appointees under Section 18, Mr Barry and Mr Neely will also be mandated to take any follow-up actions that may arise from the protected disclosures processes.

ENDS

Tom Barry has over 40 years' experience in local government. He has served as Transition Oversight Manager with Tipperary County Council; Chief Executive with Carlow County Council; and Director of Services at North Tipperary County Council. Mr Barry has also held a number of other senior public sector roles, including as Chairperson of the EPA’s audit and risk committee, and appointments by the Minister for Rural and Community Development.

Seamus Neely has broad experience at a senior management level in operations and general management, particularly in the Local Government Sector. Mr Neely served as Chief Executive of Donegal County Council, and held a number of additional roles in Monaghan and Cavan Town and County Councils. He is currently a board member of The Land Development Agency and is Chair of the Forestry Appeals Committee.

Minister Ryan has also instructed Mr Barry and Mr Neely to oversee the preparation of a governance review of IFI to be delivered within a period of three to six months.

Minister Ryan wished Mr Barry and Mr Neely well in their important work.