Dublin, 3 April 2007

The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey T.D. today announced the members of the new Board of Teilifis na Gaeilge.

In line with the Programme for Government, which provides that the Government will continue to support the development of Irish language broadcasting, TG4 becomes an independent station from 1 April and will be transformed into an independent statutory body, Teilifís na Gaeilge (TnaG).

TnaG first came on air on 31 October, 1996 and is currently part of the RTÉ family of services.

“TnaG through its role as a public national television broadcaster, primarily in the Irish language, is very important for the continued development of the Irish language.” said Minister Noel Dempsey today.

“Establishing TG4, as an independent body, is central in the provision of a high quality Irish language broadcasting service – one which is available, in so far as it is reasonably practicable, to the whole community on the island of Ireland.”

The Minister added “The Government is delighted with the calibre of people who have accepted the appointment to this new Board. I wish them every success in the future and I am sure they will meet the interesting challenges which lie ahead with enthusiasm and commitment.”

The Board members of TnaG are:

• Peter Quinn (Chairman)
• Joe Connolly
• Padraig MacDonnacha
• Eilís Ní Chonghaile
• Méabh Mhic Ghairbheith
• Méadhbh Nic an Airchinnigh
• Bríd Ní Neachtáin
• Feargal Ó Sé
• Regina Culliton

Brief details of the members of TG4 are attached below.

Ends

• Peter Quinn (Chairman), Former Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael; member Parades Commission; Businessman and Business Consultant.
• Joe Connolly, former All Ireland Winning Galway Hurler, Chairman of the GAA Alcohol and Substance Abuse Task Force.
• Padraig MacDonnacha, Former President Comhdáil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge; former Chairperson Radio na Gaeltachta; Currently Chairperson of Comharchumann Ráth Cairn.
• Eilís Ní Chonghaile, Teacher of Irish in Connemara; Community Activist.
• Méabh Mhic Ghairbheith, Tír Chonaill, specialises in Adult Education; Community Activist.
• Méadhbh Nic an Airchinnigh, M.A., Tutor for 3rd level UCC; Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant U.S.; member of Comhltas Ceolteoirí Éireann; represented Ireland in Celtic Nations Water Polo and in Rowing.
  Bríd Ní Neachtáin, well known actress, starred in Ros na Rún, was in the original award winning cast of Dancing at Lughnasa. Currently finishing a degree in Old Irish at Trinity; originally from Connemara, but currently residing in Dublin.
• Feargal Ó Sé, National School Teacher; from a prominent GAA family in Kerry.
• Regina Culliton, Lecturer in modern Irish in UCD.
  

Ainmníonn Aire Nollaig Ó Díomasaigh Baill Theilifís na Gaeilge

Baile Átha Cliath, 3ú Aibreán 2007

D’ainmnigh an tAire Nollaig Ó Díomasaigh, T.D., baill an Bhoird nua ar Thelefís na Gaeilge inniu.

Is stáisiún neamhspleách ann fhéin í TG4 ón 1ú Aibreán ar aghaidh agus déanfar comhlacht reachtúil neamhspleách di, Teilifís na Gaeilge (TnaG). Tagann sé seo go dlúth le Clár an Rialtais faoina leanfaidh an Rialtas de thacaíocht a thabhairt d’fhorbairt chraoladh na Gaeilge.

Thosnaigh TnaG ag craoladh ar an 31ú Deireadh Fómhair 1996 agus go dtí seo bhí sí mar chuid de chlann seirbhíse RTÉ.

“Tá TnaG, ina craoltóir náisiúnta teilifíse poiblí di sa nGaeilge, thar a bheith tábhachtach i leith forbairt na Gaeilge,” arsa an tAire Nollaig Ó Díomasaigh inniu.

“Tá bunú TG4 mar chomhlacht neamhspleách di lárnach ó thaobh seirbhís chraolacháin poiblí na Gaeilge a chur ar fail – seirbhís atá ar fáil a oiread agus is féidir é a dhéanamh don phobal uilig ar ar Oileán na hÉireann.”

Ag cur leis sin dó, duirt an tAire: “Tá an-áthas ar an Rialtas le cáilíochtaí na ndaoine a ghlac le ceapachán ar an mBord nua seo. Guím gach rath orthu amach anseo. Táim cinnte de go bhfeagróidh siad dos na dúshláin suimiúla atá rompu go díograiseach dúthrachtach.”

’Siad seo baill TnaG:

• Peter Quinn (Cathaoirleach)
• Joe Connolly
• Padraig Mac Donnacha
• Eilís Ní Chonghaile
• Méabh Mhic Ghairbheith
• Méadhbh Nic an Airchinnigh
• Bríd Ní Neachtain
• Feargal Ó Sé
• Regina Culliton

Tá gearr-chursíos ar bhaill TG4 thíos.

[Deireadh]

• Peter Quinn (Cathaoirleach), Iar-Uachtarán Chumann Lúthcleas Gael; ball de Choimisiún na Mórshiúl; Fear Ghnó agus Comhairleoir Ghnó.
• Joe Connolly, iar-iománaí agus buaiteoir Chraobh Cheannais na hÉireann; Cathaoirleach Teasc-fhorsa an CLG i leith Mhí-úsáid Dheochanna Meisciúla agus Substaintí.
• Padraig Mac Donnacha, Iar-Uachtarán Chomhdháil Náisiúnta an Gaeilge; Iar-Chathaoirleach Radio na Gaeltachta; faoi láthair, Cathaoirleach Chomharchumann Ráth Chairn.
• Eilís Ní Chongaile, Múinteoir na Gaeilge i gConamara; Gníomhaí Phobail.
• Méabh Mhic Ghairbheith, Tír Chonaill; príomh-shuim aici san Oideachas Aosach; Gníomhaí Phobail.
• Méadhbh Nic an Airchinnigh, M.A., Oide 3ú leibhéil, Coláiste na hOllscoile, Corcaigh; Cúntóir Mhúineadh Teanga Iasachta Fulbright sna Stáit Aontaithe; Ionadaí na hÉireann i gcomórrtas Domhairphóló na Náisiún Ceilteach agus i Rámhaíocht.
• Bríd Ní Neachtain. Is aisteoir clúiteach í a ghlac príomh-pháirt i Ros na Rún agus ins an chéad fhoireann a bhain ghairm as Dancing at Lughnasa. Tá céim sa tSean-Ghaeilge á chríochnú aici faoi láthair i gColáiste na Trionóide; de bhonnaibh Chonamara, cónaíonn sí i mBÁC.
• Feargal Ó Sé, Múinteoir Bunscoile; as chlann mór le rá i gcúrsaí CLG igContae Ciarraí dó.
• Regina Culliton, Léachtóir le Nua-Ghaeilge i gColáiste na hOllscoile BÁC.