NARGC elects new chair and vice-chair at AGM
The National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC), the body representing hunting groups in Ireland, has elected a new chairperson and vice-chairperson after its annual general meeting (AGM) in Galway.
The AGM, which was held in Salthill in Galway city, saw the election of Co. Monaghan's Dan Curley as the new chairperson, with Co. Carlow's John Butler being elected vice-chairperson.
The AGM, which the NARGC said was attended by 250 delegates, was addressed by Mayor of Galway Peter Keane, and Midlands--North-West MEP Nina Carberry.
Curley said that he wanted to "make sure rural interests are listened to" by the current government.
The incoming chairperson said that a new forum for stakeholders in the hunting and firearm owner community, that was due to be established by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), is "yet to be established, three years after the date proposed in a government action plan".
He also said that a separate Firearms Consultative Committee, which provided a forum for licenced firearm users, "has not met since 2019".
"I am honoured to be elected as NARGC chair and I look forward to representing our 25,000 [members] as we intensify our engagement with the new government on key rural issues," Curley commented.
He added: "With ministers now in place, we need to see a rural reset. Over recent years, rural groups such as NARGC have not had a voice at the table, because the table simply wasn't there."
Curley claimed that the "delay by the NPWS in setting up the new stakeholder forum and the mothballing of the Firearms Consultative Panel meant rural groups were denied a voice in dealing with government on policy issues affecting our members".
"I am calling on the new [minister of state with responsibility for nature] Christopher O' Sullivan and the new [Minister for Justice] Jim O' Callaghan to move quickly to right these wrongs [and] to set up these [forums], and to give a voice back to rural Ireland.
The NARGC AGM also saw the appointment of Philip Finnegan as the new general manager of the organisation.
He joins the organisation with over 35 years' experience in the insurance industry at home and abroad and a background in sports and volunteering.
As general manager, he will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the organisation and will assume the duties and responsibilities of their Compensation Fund Administrator, Christopher Gavican, who steps away from the organisation after 47 years' service.
