From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
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Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media, and Patrick O’Donovan, Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, announced today (28 September) that they have appointed five new ordinary members to Údarás na Gaeltachta until the end of 2024 and that they have extended the term of Mary Uí Chadhain as Chair of the board until the end of this year, at which point she will leave her position as Chairperson but will continue to act as an ordinary member until the end of 2024.
The department has been informed by board member, Debra Ní Shúilleabháin, that she will be resigning from the board with immediate effect.
As a result, there will be one vacancy on the board in the period up to the end of the year when the new Chairperson of the organisation will be announced.
Minister Martin said:
“We are pleased to announce these appointments and I am sure the new members of Údaras na Gaeltachta will undertake their work with energy and commitment. An tÚdarás is an organisation that plays a central role in the life of the Gaeltacht community and the new members who we have announced today will contribute to that into the future.”
Minister of State O’Donovan said:
“There are, and always will be, a variety of challenges old and new facing Údarás na Gaeltachta, but the competence, experience and wide range of skills possessed by these new members will greatly benefit the organisation.”
Members appointed to the board as a result of the public process administered by PAS:
Mary Uí Chadhain - Currently chairperson of the interim board of An tÚdarás, Mary was the Financial and Business Director and Company Secretary of TG4 until September 2019. She lives in Cashel in the Conamara area.
Máire Áine Uí Ailín - Máire Áine Uí Ailín is a Placement Officer in the University of Galway. She is responsible for the administration of the Work Placement Register for students who are undertaking a BA with Irish and students who are studying Law with Irish. She has a BA in Irish and an MA in Language Planning. She is originally from Ceantar na nOileán and now lives in An Ceathrú Rua.
Caitlín Ní Bhroin - Caitlín Ní Bhroin is a Language Planning Officer in Cloch Ceann Fhaola, Co. Donegal. Caitlín was born and raised in Machaire Rabhartaigh and she has spent twenty-seven years working with the Irish language throughout Ireland. She has a BA in Irish Language and Literature and an M.Res in Bardic Poetry of the 17th Century.
Sonya Uí Shíoda - Sonya Uí Shíoda lives in Maigh Cuilinn in County Galway. She is the former Head of Corporate Services and former Planning, Policy and EU Affairs Manager for Údarás na Gaeltachta.
Micheál Ó Drisleáin - Micheál Ó Drisleáin is the former Director of Coláiste na Rinne, in Gaeltacht na Déise. He earned a Ph.D in Irish from University College, Cork, and is working as a business/marketing consultant.
Seán Ó Cuirreáin - Seán Ó Cuirreáin is a former member of An tÚdarás from Donegal. He is employed as Manager of the Donegal Volunteer Centre and is also a board member of Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta and Pobal.
Members already appointed by nomination by the Local Authorities:
Under the Gaeltacht Act 2012, Údarás na Gaeltachta has a board of twelve members. The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media appoints seven of the members, including the Chairperson.
As for the other five, the local authorities which have Gaeltacht areas in their jurisdictions nominate those members to the Minister for appointment.
Arising from the decision of the government on 13 December 2022, this board has a term of up to two years to provide the opportunity to amend the current legislation under which the Board of the Údarás is appointed. A copy of the press release which was released on 14 December regarding the legislative amendment is available.
Under current arrangements, in the case of members who are nominated on behalf of the areas with the smallest Gaeltachtaí, namely: Meath, Waterford and Cork County Councils, those members have a term of two years on a rota basis between them in the order of: Meath, Cork and Waterford in accordance with Section 16 2a(vi) of the Act. The period of the Waterford County Council nomination began on 1 March 2023.