Former Labour leader Pat Rabbitte appointed chair of Tusla

Pat Rabbitte

Children’s Minister Dr Katherine Zappone announced the appointment following a selection process managed by the Public Appointments Service in accordance with the Government’s Guidelines on Appointments to State Bodies.

Mr Rabbitte, who studied Arts and Law at University College Galway in the early 1970s, has served as a public representative for 30 years, serving as a TD for the Workers’ Party, then Democratic Left and eventually the Labour Party.

He led the Labour Party from 2002 to 2007 and held ministerial posts twice, in 1994-97 and in 2011-14.

Dr Zappone said: “I am very pleased with to appoint Mr Pat Rabbitte to be the next Chairperson of Tusla. I was impressed by the calibre of candidates willing to put themselves forward for this challenging role. I am am in no doubt that Mr Rabbitte has all the qualities necessary to lead Tusla to the next stage of its development.

“In his many roles he has provided strategic leadership at a corporate level and delivered significant projects which have benefitted the Irish people. These are skills which will help him lead Tusla into the future and addressing the many challenges it faces as an organisation.

“I am truly grateful to the outgoing Chairperson, Norah Gibbons, on completing her term as the first Chairperson of the Board of Tusla since its establishment in 2014. Norah has shown great commitment and determination in this role. I wish her every success for the future.”