Jim Gavin will chair a citizens' assembly on a directly-elected Dublin mayor.
Michéal Martin has announced that the former Dublin manager and UCD academic Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin will chair the upcoming citizens’ assemblies next month.
Dr Ní Shúilleabháin and Mr Gavin will oversee the work of the two Assemblies that are due to begin with an introductory meeting in Dublin Castle on Saturday, 9 April.
Read more: €12.5 million Charlemont MetroLink works started without due process, says Councillor
His Dublin side won six All-Ireland Championships between 2013 and 2019.
He also played on the Dublin All-Ireland winning team in 1995, and he is currently the Director of People and Operations for the Aviation Regulator, Irish Aviation Authority.
In chairing the citizens' assembly on a Directly Elected Mayor for Dublin, he will bring his passion for the city and county to the work of creating a new vision for how Dublin is managed and administered that befits a modern, dynamic, and diverse European capital.
Dr Ní Shúilleabháin is an Assistant Professor in the School of Mathematics and Statistics in University College Dublin, where her scholarship focusses on making STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) more accessible and exciting to a wider audience.
As Chair of the Biodiversity Citizens’ Assembly Dr Ní Shúilleabháin will help the Assembly make recommendations on how the State should respond to the crisis of biodiversity loss.
Speaking about the appointments the Taoiseach said, “I would like to thank Aoibhinn and Jim for accepting the invitation to Chair these two Assemblies.
"The topics of Biodiversity Loss and a Directly Elected Mayor for Dublin are two important issues that impact people and communities throughout Ireland.
Gavin commented: "As a proud Dubliner it was a privilege to be asked to Chair the upcoming Dublin Assembly, and I want to thank the Taoiseach for the invitation to do so. This is a great city and county, renowned across the world for its history, its culture, its dynamism, and most importantly its people.
"I want to work with the members of the Assembly towards creating a vision for how the City and County should be managed and governed to make it an even better place to live, work, raise a family, and to visit and enjoy. Chíonn beirt rud nach bhfeiceann duine amháin.”
34,000 invitations were issued to randomly selected households around the country to participate in the two upcoming Assemblies.
By the closing date of 14 March, over 3,700 responses were received.
Following a further random selection of citizens who applied, the Assembly said it is now representative of Irish society, based on gender, age and location.
Letters of confirmation are being sent to 99 Irish citizens, 67 citizens of Dublin and 12 councillors ahead of the 9 April meeting.
Both Assemblies are due to complete their work by the end of the year.
Read more: Taoiseach Micheal Martin stuck in US as he goes into lockdown after testing positive for Covid-19
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin New straight to your inbox.
