New Chairman of ISC Appointed

The Minister for Tourism, Culture & Sport announced yesterday the appointment of Mr Kieran Mulvey as the new Chairman of the Irish Sports Council (ISC) for a 5 year term. The ISC, which is funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture & Sport has received €415.6m since it was founded in 1999 this includes €49.6m for 2010. Kieran Mulvey has been Chief Executive of the Labour Relations Commission since 1991. He has served on a number of public bodies including the Independent Radio and Television Commission, the National Economic and Social Council and the Governing Bodies of UCD and DCU. He is a former General Secretary of the Association of Secondary Teachers, Ireland (ASTI) and Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT).

Mr Mulvey has also acted as a Consultant with the EU and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on matters relating to public management, human resources and industrial relations. He recently chaired the negotiations which led to the Public Service "Croke Park Agreement". He has had a lifelong interest in Irish Sport and he has on occasion made himself available to assist various sporting bodies resolve issues of contention.  Minister Hanafin said "I am delighted that Kieran Mulvey has agreed to become Chair of the Irish Sports Council. I am sure that his wide range of skills and experience will be of tremendous value to the Irish Sports Council as it works with the National Governing Bodies of Sport to increase participation in sport, improve standards of performance and ensure that best practice is followed in management, governance and operating procedures at all levels of Irish sport.

Minister Hanafin thanked the outgoing chairman Mr Ossie Kilkenny. "I want to express my appreciation to Ossie Kilkenny for his contribution to Irish sport during his time as Chair of the Council, a period in which improvements have been made in many key areas, including the roll out of garda vetting, improved strategic planning throughout the sports sector and the completion of the roll out of Local Sports Partnerships", she said. Labour spokesperson on Tourism, Culture and Sport Deputy Mary Upton also welcomed the appointment of Kieran Mulvey.

Deputy Upton said "I would like to welcome the appointment of Kieran Mulvey as the new Chairperson. Kieran has had a long and distinguished career as the Chief Executive of the Labour Relations Commission and also has extensive experience as a consultant in areas of public management and human resources. "Mr Mulvey is taking the reins at a crucial time for Sport in Ireland as we face the challenges of increasing participation in sport and physical activity, through promoting access for all, while also providing supports to our elite athletes in a time of straitened public finances. Every cent of public money we dedicate to sport must be spent wisely and Mr Mulvey's vast experience will ensure that this is the case.

"Though we must now do more with less, it is still a time of great potential for Irish sport as we seek to develop talent from the grassroots to the Olympic podium. Sport is a huge part of our identity and the role of the Sports Council will be crucial to the future of Irish Sport."

"I very much look forward to working with Kieran and am confident his appointment will bring both great experience and great enthusiasm to the role."