The Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs, Joe McHugh T.D., has announced that appointments to the board of the Language Body have been made by the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) at a meeting held in plenary format in Armagh today (11 December). The following board members have been appointed to represent the southern jurisdiction for the next four years:
Foras na Gaeilge
Seosamh Mac Donnchadha (Chair)An Dr Deirdre Ní ChiardubháinSeán Micheál Ó DomhnaillGráinne McElwainSeán Ó hArgáinBláthnaid Ní ChofaighSeán Ó CoisdealbhaAlma Kavanagh
Ulster-Scots AgencyFreddie Kettle (Vice-chair)Val O’KellyAllen McAdamIda Fisher
Welcoming the appointments, Minster McHugh paid tribute to the commitment, dedication and diligence of the outgoing board members and extended his good wishes to today’s appointees to both agencies of the Language Body.
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Notes for EditorsThe Language Body is a north south implementation body composed of two separate agencies, Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency, (Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch). Foras na Gaeilge has 16 board members and the Ulster-Scots Agency has 8 board members. Appointments are made on a 50:50 basis by the two jurisdictions, north and south.Foras na GaeilgeSeosamh Mac Donnchadha (Chair), Former Chief Executive, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board, current board member of Foras na Gaeilge.An Dr Deirdre Ní Chiardubháin, School Principal, Scoil Bhríde, Blanchardstown, Dublin.Seán Micheál Ó Domhnaill, Former School Principal, Ardara, Co. Donegal, current board member of Foras na Gaeilge. Gráinne McElwain, Freelance Producer/Presenter/Journalist, Co. Galway.Seán Ó hArgáin, School Principal, Gaelscoil Osraí, Kilkenny.Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh, TV & radio presenter, Dublin.Seán Ó Coisdealbha, Chief Executive, Muintearas, Co. Galway.Alma Kavanagh, School Principal, Rathmullan primary school, Co. Donegal.Ulster-Scots AgencyFreddie Kettle (Vice-chair), Businessman, Co. Cavan.Val O’Kelly, Social Science and Social Work Graduate, Co. Donegal. Current board member of the Ulster-Scots Agency.Allen McAdam, Businessman and Rural Development Consultant, Co. Monaghan.Ida Fisher, Former project officer, Donegal County Council. Current board member of the Ulster-Scots Agency.