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RDS

Standing Committees

The role of a Standing Committee is to propose and advise on policies, programmes of activities and codes of practice within its sphere of interest in accordance with guidelines and budgets set from time to time by the Board of Management and the Council.

The Society has five Standing Committees. Each Standing Committee consists of Members of Council appointed by the Council and the elected Members. The Chair and Members of the Board of Management of the Council are ex-officio Members of all Standing Committees. A Standing Committee may appoint working groups to perform tasks appropriate to the role of that Committee and co-opt to the working group people they feel will help to advance the performance of the tasks.

Information on the Committees' work is published in the Annual Report. Elections are held annually to fill vacancies on the Standing Committees.

  • The goal of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee is to promote best practice and efficiency in farming to ensure farm household profitability and sustainability in Ireland.

    Appointed by the Council:

    • Mr Bryan Maher (Vice Chair)
    • Ms Valerie Keogh
    • Ms Darina Allen
    • Dr Laura Henry Fletcher
    • Mr Tom Bruton
    • Mr John Fennell

    Elected Members:

    • Mr John Kiersey (Advisory Council) 
    • Mr David Wiggins (Advisory Council) 
    • Ms Maura Waters (Chair) 
    • Mr Dermot A. Power 
    • Mr John Nolan 
    • Mrs Marian Condren 

  • The goal of the Arts Committee is to provide a platform to support the transition from student to emerging artist; encouraging the pursuit of a career in visual art, craft or music.

    Appointed by the Council:

    • Mr Emmet Kane
    • Mr Fearghal Hynes
    • Mr Ivan McKenna
    • Catriona Shaffrey
    • Eleanor Collier
    • Michael Mulreany

    Elected Members:

    • Mr Gaby Smyth (Advisory Council)
    • Ms Katharine Maurer (Chair)
    • Dr Marie Bourke
    • Mr Kieran Owens
    • Ms Caroline Phelan

  • The goal of the Enterprise Committee is to help drive Ireland’s economic recovery by supporting the business performance of Irish-based companies and providing networking and information-sharing opportunities for business leaders, young entrepreneurs and influencers.

    Appointed by the Council:

    • Ms Tracey Donnery
    • Mr John O'Loughlin
    • Mr Niall Shanley
    • Ms Shauna Dunlop
    • Ms Sinead Byrne
    • Mr Colm Reilly

    Elected Members:

    • Rebecca Markey (Chair, Advisory Council)
    • Barry O'Dowd (Vice Chair, Advisory Council)
    • Ms Jillian Mahon
    • Mr Dermot Breen
    • Ms Geraldine Kearney
    • Mr Joseph Lynch

  • The RDS Equestrian mission and therefore the mission of the Dublin Horse Show, is to support the Irish Sport Horse breeder and producer 

    • Showcasing the best Irish bred horses
    • Developing a market place for Irish bred horses
    • Encouraging the highest standards in breeding for purpose, horse welfare, ethical training and effective horsemanship
    • Demonstrating the benefits of the horse / human relationship for modern day society
    • Promoting show jumping by hosting an International Show to the very highest standards

    Appointed by the Council:

    • Ms Margaret Dempsey
    • Ms Eve Parnell
    • Dr Antonia Lehane
    • Mr Dick McElligott
    • Mr Ronan Murphy
    • Ms Pamela Creehan Coonan

    Elected Members:

    • Lt Col Tom Freyne (Chair, Advisory Council)
    • Mr Tiernan Gill (Advisory Council)
    • Mrs Gillian Kyle (Vice-Chair)
    • Mrs Jane Darragh
    • Mr Flor Madden
    • Ms Olga Scully

  • The goal of the Science and Technology Committee is to encourage the development of science and mathematical skills in primary school-aged children by fostering education innovation.

    Appointed by the Council:

    • Dr Barbara Power Smith
    • Mr John Power
    • Mr Denis Bates
    • Mr Paul Ryan
    • Mr Thomas A. Kennedy
    • Dr Amy Fahy

    Elected Members:

    • Dr Fergus O'Kelly (Advisory Council)
    • Mr George Nursey (Advisory Council)
    • Ms Marian Corcoran (Chair)
    • Ms Mary Sharp
    • Dr Redmond Shouldice
    • Ms Rachel Harding

*Those appointed by the Council to fill a vacancy since the last election.