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Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross, today announced the appointment of seven new members to the Board of Fáilte Ireland (National Tourism Development Authority). The seven new board members are:

•  Alice Mansergh; 
•  Margaret Ward; 
•  Des O’ Dowd; 
•  Clare Duignan; 
•  Breege O’ Donoghue; 
• Tom Coughlan; and
• Tim Husbands 

The Minister also announced the reappointment of Mr Francis Brennan to the Board of the Authority.

The Minister said:

“Tourism is a vital contributor to our economy and supports approximately 235,000 jobs. I am delighted to appoint the seven members to the Board of Fáilte Ireland. They are all well qualified for the positions and have demonstrated their suitability to act as members of the Board. I sought candidates with particular skill sets of critical analysis in tourism and consumer advocacy and I am delighted that these skills are now represented on the Board. I believe that their skills and experience will be a great asset to the work of Fáilte Ireland in supporting and developing the Irish tourism sector and I wish them well in their role.”

Welcoming the appointments, Fáilte Ireland Authority Chairman Michael Cawley said:

“I am delighted to welcome the seven new members to the Board where their skills, expertise and commitment will be a valuable addition to our deliberations as Fáilte Ireland seeks to develop Irish tourism and assist the sector to maximise the potential it has to create employment, generate revenue and contribute to the nation’s economic progress.”

The appointments follow on from an application and shortlisting process run by the Public Appointments Service based on a public advertisement and a further assessment procedure that was introduced by Minister Ross.