A new board to run An Bord Glas, the Irish horticulture board, has been announced by Mr Noel Davern, the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.
The new chairman is Mr Dan Lenihan, Straffan, Co Kildare, who replaced Mr Michael Murphy from December 23rd, when the new board took over for the coming three years.
Ten ordinary members were appointed to the board. They include Mr Tom Ambrose, Melview, Clonmel, Co Tipperary; Mr John Barry, Coolgrena House, Rushbrook, Cobh, Co Cork; and Ms Angela Binchy, Gormanstown, Kilcullen, Co Kildare.
Also appointed were Mr Liam Butterly, Ave Maria, Rogerstown, Rush, Co Dublin; Mr Kieran Dunne, Russellstown, Kilmeague, Naas, Co Kildare; Ms Bridie O'Neill of the Department of Agriculture and Food; Mr Jermiah O'Shea, Canuig, Mastergeehey, Killarney, Co Kerry; Mr Tom Power, Tomanoole, Ballycarney, Co Wexford; Mr Michael Slattery, Glenlough Lower, Rossmore, Cashel, Co Tipperary; and Mr Jerry Sweetman, Killavallig, Kanturk, Co Cork.
The board recently announced a £100 million expansion plan for the sector, which currently employs more than 31,000 full- and part-time workers.
The board identified the lack of labour for the sector as the main problem facing its expansion and said that 4,500 seasonal workers were needed urgently to ensure its future.