Former minister of state for children and youth affairs Barry Andrews
has been appointed head of the international aid agency Goal.
The
announcement follows the recent retirement of former chief executive
John O’Shea, who had founded the organisation and administered it for 35
years.
Mr O’Shea’s departure was precipitated by a High Court
action he pursued to prevent the agency’s board from removing or
suspending him. That action was settled last July, paving the way for
his retirement at the end of August.
In a statement following the
conclusion of those proceedings, it was announced that a mutually
acceptable arrangement was agreed between the parties.
Goal
chairman Pat O’Mahony last night welcomed the appointment of Mr Andrews
who, the agency said, had a “wealth of experience in public policy,
education and law”.
“I want to offer the warmest welcome to our
new CEO Barry Andrews, as the organisation grows and remains true to its
ethos to deliver aid to the poorest of the poor,” he said.
Mr
Andrews, a barrister and father of three, served as minister of state
between 2008 and 2011. “I am delighted to take up this new challenge
with Ireland’s best and most effective humanitarian aid agency,” he
said.
It is not the first high- profile involvement with
humanitarian groups associated with the Andrews family.
In 2009, his
father David – a former minister for foreign affairs – stood down from
his voluntary role as Irish Red Cross chairman after almost 10 years.
His
decision corresponded with an internal governance report which
recommended those holding the chair should step down after two
consecutive terms.
Since its foundation in 1977, Goal has spent more than €720 million on across 50 countries.