Patrick Wall Appointed New Chairman of Horse Sport Ireland
PATRICK Wall has been appointed as the new Chairman of Horse Sport Ireland following his nomination by Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar, it was announced today (Thursday).
Patrick Wall is Professor of Public Health at University College Dublin, and is qualified both as a veterinary surgeon and a medical doctor. He was nominated by Minister Varadkar, in consultation with the Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine Simon Coveney, and with Minister of State for Tourism & Sport Michael Ring, and appointed by the board of directors of Horse Sport Ireland today.
Minister Varadkar said: “Patrick Wall brings a wealth of experience and expertise which will enable Horse Sport Ireland to develop further in the years ahead, building on the very solid foundation which has been laid for the organisation by outgoing Chairman Joe Walsh. His previous experience as a chairman and a chief executive will be useful in this role, along with his ongoing participation in equestrian sports. I also want to take this opportunity to thank Joe for his exemplary work in bringing the different elements of equestrian sport together and his contribution to the sport,”.
Minister of State for Tourism & Sport Michael Ring said: “This appointment marks the start of a new era for equestrian sport in Ireland. Patrick Wall is the ideal candidate for this position, and I look forward to working with him in the future”.
The Chairman of Horse Sport Ireland Joe Walsh said that he was pleased that Minister Varadkar had made his nomination for the role. Professor Wall will formally become Chairman on February 6th, as proposed by the Minister.
“I know Professor Wall very well from my time as Minister for Agriculture when he was CEO of the Food Safety Authority. I was pleased to propose the ratification by the board of his appointment as the independent Chairman of Horse Sport Ireland, at the board meeting today,” he said.
“Professor Wall has an outstanding CV and I am sure he will be a strong, progressive and independently minded Chairman of Horse Sport Ireland,” he added.
“I have greatly enjoyed my time as Chairman of Horse Sport Ireland. I want to thank the board members past and present, our 22 affiliate bodies and the staff in Horse Sport Ireland,” Joe Walsh said.
“For an organisation that only became the Governing Body for equestrian sport in 2008 a huge amount has been achieved. It is important to have a strong governing body which can resist the demands of vested interests and strong personalities while moving the sector forward without fear or favour,” he said.
Category: International, News, Other
