The Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland has welcomed the appointment of a new Board of the organisation by the Irish and British Governments.

Mr Denis Rooney, who has been reappointed as Fund Chairman for a further three years, welcomed the appointment of three new Board members: General Manager of Donegal airport, Ms Anne Bonner; Vice-Chair of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive Ms Anne Henderson; and independent HR Consultant Ms Mary Southwell. Three of the outgoing Board, Mr John McDaid from Derry, Ms. Deirdre Ryan from Dundalk and Mr Jackie Hewitt from Belfast were re-appointed for a second term.

Mr Rooney said: “This is a very important time for the International Fund. The launch of our five year strategy, ‘Sharing this Space’ marks a fundamental shift in the Fund’s activity. The expertise and experience of this new Board will be critical to ensuring the Fund responds to the social and economic needs of the North and border counties.”

Mr Rooney also paid tribute to outgoing Board Members, Mr Gene Murtagh, Ms Carmel Lynch and Ms Helen Kirkpatrick for their service to the International Fund over the previous six years.

The full Board of the International Fund for Ireland is:

• Mr Denis Rooney, Chairman
• Mr John McDaid
• Ms Deirdre Ryan
• Ms Anne Bonner
• Mr Jackie Hewitt
• Ms Anne Henderson
• Ms Mary Southwell