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Press release

Minister McEntee welcomes the Board of Cuan as they convene for their first meeting

The Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and the department’s Secretary General, Oonagh McPhillips, attended the offices of Cuan today to welcome the agency’s oversight board as they convened for their first meeting.

The Board, who were appointed by the Minister on 16 April following an open competition conducted through the state boards process.

Commenting on this important milestone, Minister McEntee said:

"This new agency, Cuan, is central to delivering on the ambition of our Zero Tolerance Strategy and in keeping with good governance and practice, the legislation establishing Cuan provides for a board to support the agency in delivering on its functions, including by providing strategic direction and promoting high standards of corporate governance.

"At the time of their appointment, I commented on the breadth of experience and knowledge the members of Cuan’s Board bring. I am very grateful to Professor Fennell and all the members of the Board for their public service. I have no doubt they will guide and support Cuan in driving real and positive change for victims and survivors of domestic, sexual and gender based violence.

"We have a clear and shared ambition, across Government and across society – Zero Tolerance for all forms of domestic sexual and gender-based violence and for the attitudes that underpin these unacceptable behaviours. Cuan has the mandate to drive that ambition and, working with the support of this strong and dedicated Board, will ensure that collectively, we all remain focused on delivering that ambition."

Dr Stephanie O’Keeffe, CEO of Cuan, welcoming the Board Members for their first meeting said:

"I warmly welcome the Board members to the Cuan offices today for the first Board meeting. It is wonderful to have such a strong and experienced Board in place. Their insights and expertise will support and guide Cuan in achieving our goals under the Zero Tolerance Third National Strategy and in driving the whole-of-government response to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. I look forward to working closely with them to ensure that Cuan’s strong mandate delivers real benefits for those experiencing or at risk of experiencing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence."

The Board Members are:

  • Professor Caroline Fennell (Chair)
  • Sarah Benson
  • Molly Buckley
  • Denise Charlton
  • Vivian Geiran
  • Conor Hanly
  • Claire Loftus

Notes

In line with good governance and practice, the legislation establishing Cuan provides for a board which includes a chairperson and six ordinary members with various experience in domestic, sexual and gender based violence matters, governance, public management, and other matters relevant to the functions of the Agency.

The functions of the Board include:

  • providing strategic direction to the Agency
  • promoting high standards of corporate governance in the Agency
  • advising, or making recommendations to, the Minister in relation to the policies of the Minister and the government relating to or affecting the functions of the Agency
  • adopting the annual report

Board members bios

Professor Caroline Fennell

Caroline is Professor Emerita of Law at University College Cork. She is currently a Commissioner of An Coimisiún Toghcháin and served as a Commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission from 2018 to 2023. She was a founder member of the Board of Women's Studies and MA in Women's Studies in UCC, and founder member and co-Director of the Centre for Criminal Justice and Human Rights (2006-8). Caroline has published widely on issues relating to gender, due process and evidence/criminal justice.

Sarah Benson

Sarah Benson is CEO of Women’s Aid since 2019. For nine years prior to this role, Sarah was the Chief Executive Officer with Ruhama.

Molly Buckley

Molly is a Public Health Nurse by profession and has worked extensively in Community Development and Family Support Services. Molly is a founding member of Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service (ODVSS) where she has been Chairperson for 20 years and is also a Member of the Mental Health Tribunal.

Denise Charlton

Denise is Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland and was previously CEO of the Immigrant Council of Ireland and Director of Women’s Aid.

Vivian Geiran

Vivian is a social worker and Adjunct Assistant Professor and lecturer (Criminology & Probation) on the MSW and BSS programmes at Trinity College Dublin. He served as Director of the Probation Service from 2012 to 2020.

Conor Hanly

Conor is a College Lecturer/Assistant Professor of Law at University of Galway, where his primary academic interest is in the field of criminal law and especially the issue of sexual and domestic violence. He is on the Board of the Galway Rape Crisis Centre.

Claire Loftus

Claire is a solicitor and retired public servant who served a ten-year term as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for Ireland.

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