Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte today announced the appointment of eight members to the Board of TG4 including a new chairperson for the Board.
TG4 is the national Irish language television service, a public service broadcaster, established by statute and publicly funded to deliver a full range of high quality Irish language content to audiences at home and abroad.
In nominating the successful candidates, the Minister also had regard to the recommended nominees of the Joint Oireachtas Committee (JOC). Joe Connolly has been re-appointed to the Board and will continue to serve with Pól Ó Gallchóir, Concubhar Ó Liatháin and Rónán Ó Coisdealbha. The Minister is awaiting one further nominee from the Joint Oireachtas Committee.
Commenting on the appointments Minister Rabbitte said that the Government was committed to continuing its support of the Irish language broadcasting sector and was extremely happy with the calibre of and credentials of those who have accepted appointment.
“With Digital Switchover due to take place in six months time, I would like to take this opportunity to wish the new board every success with the opportunities and challenges ahead.” the Minister added.
The Minister also expressed his thanks to the outgoing chairman and Board members, whose term of office has expired, for their contribution.
The newly appointed Board members of TG4, whose term will be for five years, are as follows:
Siún Ní Raghallaigh (Chair)
Des Geraghty
Michelle Ní Chróinín
Micheál Seoighe
Mairéad Ní Cheoinín
Andréa Ní hÉalaithe
Mairéad Nic Suibhne
Brief details of the new Board members are attached below:
New Appointees:
Siún Ní Raghallaigh (Chairperson): a native speaker from Donegal, former Financial Controller of the Tribune Newspaper Group, and former Managing Director and Director of Marketing and Development at TG4. A film, television and video producer with experience in traditional and online media as well as the software industry. Siún worked with Tyrone Productions before establishing independent television company, ikandi productions. She is on the Board of the Galway Film Fleadh.
Des Geraghty: Former President of SIPTU and member of the RTÉ Authority as well as of bodies such as the National Economic & Social Council (NESC); The National Competitiveness Council, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and more recently the Commission of the Irish Central Bank. Formerly served as a member of the Economic and Monetary Committee in the European Parliament.
Michelle Ní Chróinín: Press and Information Officer at NUI Galway, with many years experience in project management, event management, public administration as well as working with the media and in public relations.
Micheál Seoighe: Extensive experience with Údarás na Gaeltachta specialising in industrial development. Former Board member of various companies with broad business, marketing and financial experience.
Mairéad Ní Cheoinín: Marketing & Business Programme Coordinator for the Irish Maritime Development Office. Formerly Key Account Manager with Checkout Magazine and Informa.
Andréa Ní hÉalaithe: A native of Kerry, works in Marketing with Star Products International, former contributor to Raidió na Life, graduate in marketing from the Dublin Institute of Technology. Formerly a student of Coláiste Íde, Dingle.
Mairead Nic Suibhne: A native Irish speaker from Gaoth Dobhair, Co Donegal, a graduate of St Patrick’s College/DCU and a PGCE in Primary Education from Jordanhill College, Glasgow. She is Principal of Scoil Eoin Pol, Loch an Iúir, Co Donegal.