TWO new members will soon be appointed to the Board of Horse Sport Ireland, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has confirmed.

The Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon, in consultation with the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, will soon appoint a Northern Ireland representative and a replacement for Dr Pamela Byrne who has stepped in as the interim chair following the departure of Michael Dowling who held the chair role since November 2022 and was re-appointed in September 2024.

Responding to a question on the makeup of the board from The Irish Field, a DAFM spokesperson said: “Department officials have been in contact with the Northern Ireland Sports Forum regarding the appointment of a Northern Ireland representative. It is expected that this process will conclude shortly and that an appointment will then be made by Minister Heydon, in consultation with the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport.”

Northern Ireland representative Paul Brolly - who was described as a media professional with over 25 years’ experience - was among the ministerial appointees announced to the Board on September 27th, 2024, but resigned earlier this year.

The DAFM spokesperson continued: “The Constitution of Horse Sport Ireland provides for nine board members. Currently six of the nine board members are in place and, as outlined above, Department officials are in contact with the Northern Ireland Sports Forum regarding the Northern Ireland representative.

“In addition, the industry representative from the High-Performance Sports advisory forum remains vacant. The appointment of this board member is a matter for the High-Performance Sports advisory forum.

“A board member to act as a replacement for Dr Byrne is currently vacant. Minister Heydon, in consultation with the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, will shortly appoint this board member.

“Minister Heydon is satisfied that the Board is operating effectively. He will further enhance its membership as outlined above,” they concluded.

The High Performance advisory forum position has been vacant since the change of the constitution when the HP affiliates did not provide nominees and therefore the forum had no quorum and could not meet.