Former local TD set to follow Gaybo

FORMER TD for Dublin South, Liz O’Donnell, is set to follow in Gay Byrne’s footsteps after being appointed Chairperson Designate of the Road Safety Authority.

O’Donnell was named as Gaybo’s successor last week by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe, and the appointment is subject to the outcome of an appearance before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications.

O’Donnell was a Progressive Democrats TD for Dublin South from 1992 until 2007 when she lost her seat during her party’s annihilation in that year’s general election.

Prior to her election to the Dail she was a local councilor for Rathmines but as a TD she rose through the party ranks and helped negotiate the programme for the coalition Government between Fianna Fáil and the PDs in 1997.

She was Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and was an Irish Government representative at the multi-party talks at Stormont, which culminated in the Good Friday Agreement.

O’Donnell packed in politics after losing her Dublin South seat and now provides consultancy, lecturing and advisory services in
Government relations and public affairs.

She’s also an opinion columnist in the Irish Independent, writing mainly on politics and public affairs.

Minister Donohoe said he was delighted to propose O’Donnell as chairperson of the RSA.

“I’m happy that she has agreed to take on this important role and to work with us to improve road safety,

? he said.

“Amongst the key priorities for the role will be to continue the implementation of the fourth Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020, which includes targeted reductions in death and injuries on our roads, to complete the progression of the RSA to a self-sustaining entity that draws its funding from non-Exchequer sources and to deliver a successful organisation in line with the Authority’s own internal strategic review.

“This appointment is being made in advance of the introduction of new procedures for State Board appointments, in view of the urgent need to fill the vacant post which is crucial to our efforts to combat road deaths.

?

Minister Donohoe thanked outgoing chairperson, Gay Byrne, for his

“enormous contribution

? and

“great enthusiasm

? that he brought to the role.

“I am confident that Ms O’Donnell will bring a commensurate amount of skills and experience to this position on the Board of the RSA and will make an effective contribution towards reducing the number of deaths and injuries on our roads,

? he added.

Ms O’Donnell expressed an interest in serving on a State Board via the Board Diversity Initiative. Established in 2010, the initiative provides a bridge between boards and women candidates.
Since its launch more than 30 women on the Board Diversity Initiative panel have been appointed to Irish boards.

The panel currently profiles 85 qualified and experienced women who are interested in serving on boards.