Minister of State Lenihan announces the appointment of a new Advisory Board
Mr. Conor Lenihan T.D., Minister of State for Development Cooperation and Human Rights, today announced the appointment of the new members of the Advisory Board for Development Cooperation Ireland (ABDCI).
The independent Advisory Board was established in 2002, on foot of the recommendations in the Ireland Aid Review. Members are appointed for a three year term.
The Board is charged with the general oversight of the Government's official aid programme and the provision of advice to the Minister, and to the management team responsible for the programme, on the strategic direction of the programme and the implementation of policy
The first meeting of the new Board took place today. Addressing the first meeting, Minister of State Lenihan said
“I know you are all busy and you all have other demands on your time and on your skills. On behalf of the Government, I want to say sincerely how much we appreciate and value your participation.
I am delighted that Chris Flood has agreed once again to chair the Board and I offer Chris particular thanks.
The Government's aim is to turn a very good programme into the best programme in the world. This goal, combined with effectively managing rapidly expanding resources, presents a very ambitious agenda and the Board will be key partners for the Department in delivering it.
I look forward to working closely with you over the coming years”
A full list of members is attached.
Members of the Advisory Board for Development Cooperation Ireland
Chris Flood (Chairperson)
Currently Ireland's representative to the European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance. Former Minister of State at the Departments of Health and of Tourism & Sport.
David Andrews
Currently Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the Irish Red Cross Society. Former Minister for Foreign Affairs.
David Begg
General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. Formerly Chief Executive of Concern Worldwide.
Denis Cahalane
Denis Cahalane is employed by the HSE in Co Louth as Director of Social Inclusion. He is Chairperson of Dundalk Employment Partnership and has been involved with Dundalk Simon Community and the Simon Communities of Ireland for many years.
Dr Abdullahi El-Tom
Dr Abdullahi El-Tom is a lecturer in the Department of Anthropology at NUI Maynooth. His research interests are the Anthropology of Development; Poverty, Debt and Food Security; and Minorities. His specialist knowledge of the developing countries brings an important international dimension to the Globalisation and Democracy theme.
Detta Fanning
Detta Fanning is an expert in Business Development and Marketing. She is a partner in Detta Communications, where she advises many Irish and Overseas Companies on how best to build their businesses in Ireland.
Funmilayo M.Anike Giwa-Byrne
Ms. Giwa Byrne is Managing Director of Anike Ireland
Eamonn Meehan
Eamonn Meehan is the deputy director and head of communications and education department of Trócaire. He is responsible for the communications, education, campaigns, fundraising, marketing, policy and advocacy work carried out by Trócaire. His work on policy and advocacy includes the issues of debt, PRSP, trade (especially WTO governance), globalisation and the role of new social movements.
Fr. Gerard O'Connor
Fr. O'Connor is a Redemptorist priest. He previously worked with GOAL in Africa. He chairs the Audit Committee of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Larry O'Loughlin
Head of Public Relations with Teagasc. Board member of Self Help Development International.
Anne O'Mahony
Anne O'Mahony is Regional Director with Concern Worldwide based in Dublin and responsible for an eclectic group of countries including Haiti, Afghanistan and North Korea. She has worked with Concern since 1982. She is a trained Nurse and has a Masters in Development Economics and Planning. She currently serves on the Board of EuroAid, a European NGO food security network.
Maura Quinn
Maura Quinn was appointed Executive Director of UNICEF Ireland in 1996. In accordance with UNICEF's mandate on child survival and development , she has travelled extensively in Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Asia to highlight the situation of children and advocate on their behalf.
Lorraine Sweeney
Lorraine Sweeney is a businessperson. She is a former Chairperson of the Small Firms Association.
The Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, with special responsibility for Overseas Development and Human Rights is a member of the ABDCI, as is the Director-General of Development Cooperation Ireland. While the members of the Board are drawn from a broad spectrum, including the social partners, third level educational institutions, civil society and the NGO (non governmental organisation) sector, they are appointed to ABDCI in an individual rather than a representative capacity.
