FIVE new members have been appointed to the Credit Union Advisory Committee by the Minister for Commerce, Science and Technology, Mr Pat Rabitte.
The seven-member committee replaces the outgoing committee and will serve for three years from May 1st.
Mr Michael Woods, general manager of St Mary's Credit Union in Navan, Co Meath and Mr Pat Coughlan, manager of The Lough Credit Union in Cork, have been reappointed, having served on committees since 1990. Mr Woods is chairman of the committee.
Two of the new members are from Dublin credit unions - Ms Selina Gilleece, secretary of Clonsilla Credit Union, and Mr Tim Molan manager of the Inchicore and District Credit Union.
The other new members are Ms Andrea Mulhall, the secretary of the Athy Credit Union in Co Kildare, Mr James O'Connell, secretary of the Douglas Credit Union in Cork, and Mr Brian Sherry, manager of the Castleblaney Credit Union in Co Monaghan.
Under section 27 of the Credit Union Act 1966, the committee advises the Minister on credit union affairs.
Mr Rabbitte said the committee was an important independent source of advice to the Government and to the Registrar of Friendly Societies. In coming months the committee would advise on the scope and content of the ministerial regulations and orders required to give effect to the Credit Union Act 1997, he said.