Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue has today (Friday, October 25) announced the fourth ministerial appointee to the board of Horse Sport Ireland (HSI). 

Following consultation with the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, Minister McConalogue has announced the appointment of Dr. Pamela Byrne to the HSI Board.

The agriculture minister also expressed his gratitude to the recently departed board members, Prof. Niamh Brennan and Zoe Kavanagh “whose passion, professionalism and enthusiasm helped the organisation overcome a period of uncertainty, while also playing a key leadership role in supporting the long-term stability of HSI”. 

The minister also acknowledged the wealth of experience and skills that the new board will bring to HSI in driving the organisation forward in a cohesive manner. 

Minister McConalogue said: “The new board, which has significant industry representation, has both the required skills and experiences to lead the organisation and ensure it helps deliver on the undoubted potential that exists in the sports horse sector."

The HSI Constitution provides that the term of office of the chair and other directors shall be three years from date of appointment and directors are eligible to serve a maximum of two terms.

The HSI Constitution provides for a total of nine board members as follows:

Four members including the chair appointed by the minister in consultation with the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. These are: Michael Dowling (chair); Dr. Kevin Smyth; Karen Brosna; Dr. Pamela Byrne.
One Northern Ireland representative appointed by the minister in consultation with the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media as nominated by the Northern Ireland Sports Forum. Paul Brolly is the NI representative;
Four industry representatives from each advisory forum - Breeding & Production Advisory Forum (Allison Mercer); Coaching & Education Forum (Dr. Siobhan McAuliffe); High Performance Forum (Vacant); Equestrian Sport & Recreation Forum (Sue Foley).

Horse Sport Ireland is the governing body for for national equestrian sports such as show jumping and dressage.