The first board of newly established State body, Tailte Éireann, has been announced.

Darragh O’Brien (Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage) has selected David McGarry as chair of the body for a five-year period. 

The ordinary board members appointed are:

• Martin Sisk, 
• Rowena Mulcahy, 
• Mary Keane (former Law Society Director General),
• Shirley Coulter, 
• Deirdre O’Keeffe, and 
• Gerard Quinn.

Minister O’Brien said: “This new state body will bring together a wealth of expertise and experience from the former public bodies of the Property Registration Authority, the Valuation Office and Ordnance Survey Ireland. 

“This will facilitate the streamlining of enhanced land and geo-spatial services for the State, and will allow Tailte Éireann to take advantage of the national geo-spatial data hub, and efficiently combine and integrate the wealth of authoritative land information held by the three former public bodies.”

Vital input

He added that the board expertise would provide vital input to the strategic oversight of Tailte Éireann.

Non-executive board members would bring an independent judgment to issues of performance, resources, key appointments, and standards of conduct, he added.

They will play an essential role in guiding and advising the Chief Executive. 

Chair David McGarry is a member of the Institute of Directors and Chartered Accountants Ireland, and had former board roles with Bus Éireann and Indaver, and an executive role with NCB and KPMG.