The Sport Ireland Bill merging the responsibilities of the Irish Sports Council and the National Sports Campus Development Authority has passed through its final stages of the Oireachtas and will now become law.
Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring TD, announced the news yesterday paving the way for the creation of the new body to be known as Sport Ireland.
An interim CEO will be appointed in the coming weeks and he or she will oversee the transition of the two bodies into one as well as working with the Public Appointments Service to identify Board Members and having the body up and running by July of this year.
Many of those currently serving on the Boards of the two bodies would doubtless wish to be considered for similar positions on Sport Ireland though some will be disappointed. It is also to be hoped that a strong overall background within how business and sport can interact will be part of the future picture so as to facilitate and encourage greater levels of mutually beneficial relationships.
The two most likely candidates for the role of Interim CEO, which will be appointed by the Government, are John Treacy currently CEO of the Irish Sports Council and David Conway who holds the same role within the NSCDA. Both bring strong reputations and recent success to the table and it is to be hoped that both can be accomodated in eventual roles that will satisfy themselves and the long term needs of Irish sport.
“I am very pleased that this important piece of legislation has been passed with the broad support of members of the Oireachtas,” said Minister Ring.
“The passage of this Bill will allow us to press ahead now with the important transition to the new Body. With the establishment of Sport Ireland, we are merging the experience and expertise of two bodies who have delivered a lot for sport in recent years.”
“The establishment of Sport Ireland is a positive move for Irish sport and I am confident that the good work that is being done will continue into the future under the new Sport Ireland structure.”
