Government appoint new Chairpersons to the Boards of RTÉ and TG4
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From: Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
- Published on: 29 November 2022
- Last updated on: 29 November 2022
The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, today obtained government approval for the appointment of new Chairs for the Boards of RTÉ and TG4. Government also made a number of other appointments to both Boards.
RTÉ Board
The Minister has announced the appointment by Government for terms of 5 years of:
- Siún Ní Raghallaigh, former Chairperson of TG4 as the new Chairperson of RTÉ
- Aideen Howard, Director of The Ark Children’s Cultural Centre in Dublin, as a member of the RTÉ Board
Commenting on the appointments, Minister Martin said:
"RTÉ is at the centre of Irish life – informing, educating and entertaining the public – and these appointments come at a time of opportunity and change in the Irish media and broadcasting landscape. Siún Ní Raghallaigh and Aideen Howard bring wide-ranging knowledge and experience which will be central to the evolving strategic direction of RTÉ. I wish both well during their terms and thank them for taking on these important roles."
The appointments follow a public call for applications on stateboards.ie and an assessment process managed by the Public Appointments Service.
TG4 Board
The Minister has also announced the appointment by Government of a new chairperson and three new members of the Board of TG4, as well as the reappointment of three existing Board members for second terms.
On the Minister's nomination, Government:
- appointed Anna Ní Ghallachair as chairperson of TG4; and Róisín Ní Ráighne; Aedín O’Leary; and Seán Ó Cuirreáin as members of the Board – the appointment terms being for four years
- reappointed Siobhán Ní Ghadhra; Mairéad Ní Nuadháinand Darach Ó Tuairisg for three year terms of office
Welcoming the appointments, the Minister said:
“TG4 continues to play a key role not only in our media sector, but also as part of Government’s ongoing strategy to increase the use of the Irish language in our daily lives. TG4’s vision is to better serve our Irish-speaking communities, increase its engagement with younger audiences, all the while supporting local and regional creative companies to deliver quality content. Today’s appointment will add significantly to the Board as it continues to deliver this mission and vision.”
Anna Ní Ghallachair; Róisín Ní Ráighne; and Aedín O’Leary were selected following a competitive selection process run by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) on stateboards.ie. The Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Irish Language, Gaeltacht and Irish-speaking Community recommended that Minister Martin nominate Mr. Seán Ó Cuirreáin, for appointment by Government to the Board of TG4.
In accordance with section 81 of the Broadcasting Act 2009, appointments to the Board of RTÉ and TG4 are made by Government on the nomination of the Minister.
Total membership of each Board is 12, and the Act provides for nominees to be selected on the following basis:
- 6 nominated by the Minister
- 4 nominated by the Minister having regard to the advice of the JOC
- the Director General (ex-officio)
- an elected staff representative
RTÉ Board Appointments - Biographical information
Chairperson
Ms. Siún Ní Raghallaigh – recently retired TG4 Chairperson and Board member. Siún has gained recognition as a leader in the creative sector. She was CEO of Ardmore Studios and Troy Studios until 2021. She worked as Managing Director with Tyrone Productions, and Head of Finance with Tribune Newspaper Group. She founded her own independent television company Ikandi Productions.
Member
Ms. Aideen Howard - Director of The Ark Children’s Cultural Centre in Dublin. She has worked in theatre and the arts for over two decades as an artistic director, producer and commissioner of new work. Prior to The Ark, Aideen was Literary Director of the Abbey Theatre, founding Director of Mermaid Arts Centre and has worked as literary consultant to Arts Council projects. In 2014 she curated the poetry programme of the Mountains to Sea Festival. Aideen is editor of Irish Shorts: New Plays from The Abbey Theatre. She is a member of the National Campaign for the Arts.
TG4 Board Appointments and Reappointments
Chairperson
Ms. Anna Ní Ghallachair - was reappointed Chairperson of the Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta in 2018, her term of office concludes on 15 January 2023. Former language lecturer in LyIT; Director of the Language Centre in MaynoothUniversity (retired in 2021); member of Coimisiún naGaeltachta (2000 - 2002); served on a number of committees in Ireland and abroad focusing on the teaching and promotion of languages.
Members
Ms. Róisín Ní Ráighne - Managing Director at Dynamo Brand and Communications Agency in September 2020.
Ms. Aedín O’Leary - Independent Non-Executive Director, Investment and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Consultant; former Tax Consultant and Qualified Financial Advisor; a co-Founder of the Green Team Network, an initiative which devises collaborative solutions for the Irish Funds industry to play its part in tackling Climate Change.
Mr. Seán Ó Cuirreáin – served for 10 years as CoimisinéirTeanga (from 2004); previously Deputy Head of Raidió naGaeltachta and a journalist; appointed to the Council of State by President Michael D. Higgins (2018).
Ms. Siobhán Ni Ghadhra (re-appointment) - CEO / Producer at Danú Media and Executive Producer of Ros na Rún.
Ms. Mairéad Ní Nuadháin (re-appointment) - background in commissioning and editorial decision-making; former Head of External Relations in RTÉ, Deputy Director of TV Programmes for RTÉ. Member of TG4 Audit Committee.
Mr. Darach Ó Tuairisg (re-appointment) - Managing Director of Fíbín; Director of An Taibhdhearc. Currently a member of the TG4 Digital Committee.