Ex-GAA president to head Irish language broadcasting board

Former GAA president Peter Quinn is to lead a team responsible for promoting Irish language broadcasting, it was confirmed today.

The prominent Northern Ireland businessman, a native of Co Fermanagh, was named as chairman of the new board of Teilifis na Gaeilge.

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources Noel Dempsey confirmed the make-up of the new board.

The minister said that in line with the government commitment to support the development of Irish language broadcasting, TG4 is to become an independent station next April and will be transformed into an independent statutory body, Teilifis na Gaeilge (TnaG).

TnaG first came on air in 1996 and is currently part of RTÉ.

“Establishing TG4, as an independent body, is central in the provision of a high quality Irish language broadcasting service – one which is available, in so far as it is reasonably practicable, to the whole community on the island of Ireland,” said Mr Dempsey.

“The Government is delighted with the calibre of people who have accepted the appointment to this new board.”

The board will be chaired by Peter Quinn, a former Uachtaran Chumann Luthchleas Gael and former member of the Parades Commission in Northern Ireland.

The body is made up of eight other members including former All Ireland winning Galway Hurler and chairman of the GAA Alcohol and Substance Abuse Task Force, Joe Connolly, as well as the former chair of Radio na Gaeltachta Padraig MacDonnacha.

Board members drawn from educational backgrounds are Eilis Ni Conghaile, Maeve Ni Garbheigh, Meadhbh Nic an Airchinnigh, Feargal O Se and Regina Culliton.

Actress Brid Ni Neachtain, who starred in Irish language soap Ros na Run and was in the original award winning cast of Dancing at Lughnasa, was also unveiled as a member of the new board.