The FAI and Sport Ireland have released a joint statement announcing a Governance Review Group.
They will establish proposals to reform the FAI ahead of the AGM which will take place in July.
They have also set a prospective completion date of June 14th and they then intend to issue a draft report to Sport Ireland and the FAI.
The two bodies have set the report completion date for "no late than 21st June 2019".
The group will also consult with both FIFA and UEFA as part of the process and in a joint statement, they revealed the composition of the review group.
Aidan Horan, who is a director at the Institute of Public Administration, will be the group's independent chairman.
Sport Ireland nominees Dr Moling Ryan and Joe O'Leary will join FAI nominees Niamh O'Donoghue and Rea Walshe.
The latter is the Interim CEO of the FAI, replacing John Delaney on March 23rd. O'Donoghue became part of the FAI board in July 2017.
Meanwhile, UEFA have also fined the FAI €10,000 for the tennis ball protest by Republic of Ireland supporters in the Euro 2020 qualifier against Georgia.
JOINT FAI AND SPORT IRELAND STATEMENT
The Football Association of Ireland and Sport Ireland have established a Governance Review Group to develop reform proposals for the FAI.
The group met today and set out milestones to bring about change ahead of and following the Association’s AGM in Trim in July.
The make-up of the new Group has been finalised with independent chairman Aidan Horan joined by Sport Ireland nominees Dr Moling Ryan and Joe O’Leary and FAI nominees Niamh O’Donoghue and Rea Walshe.
Welcoming the appointment of the Governance Review Group, FAI President Donal Conway said: "The Board of the Football Association of Ireland is committed to change and today is an important day for the FAI as we take the first steps forward.
"We are determined to rebuild the Association and ensure that we are fit for purpose as a modern and dynamic governing body for the biggest sport in the country. Working closely with UEFA and Sport Ireland, we are committed to delivering on our promise to reform the FAI and we believe this Governance Review Group can establish the foundation for change before the Board resigns at the AGM in July."
Sport Ireland CEO John Treacy added: "Sport Ireland welcomes the establishment of the Governance Review Group chaired by independent governance expert Aidan Horan. Alongside Aidan Horan, Sport Ireland has also nominated independent experts (Dr. Moling Ryan and Joe O’Leary) who bring huge experience in governance, finance and change management. The work of the Governance Review Group is vitally important to the FAI progressing on its corporate governance reform agenda.
"I am confident that the Group will deliver ambitious reform proposals, which will be based on good governance practice and which will comply with UEFA policy."
The terms of reference for the new governance Group were agreed by the FAI and Sport Ireland.
The terms of reference include:
1. Reviewing the existing governance arrangements within the FAI and proposing a governance framework for the FAI in the context of good governance principles and practice.
2. Supporting the Board and the organisation in achieving and observing good governance practice.
3. Considering the organisation’s compliance with the Code of Practice for Good Governance of Community, Voluntary and Charitable Organisations in Ireland (2016), and other relevant Codes of good governance principles, norms and standards including those of UEFA and FIFA.
Specifically the Group will advise on board composition, board member / director nomination, election/appointment, term limits and succession planning, including through the development of a skills, knowledge, experience and diversity matrix for the Board.
4. In carrying out its work the Group will seek submissions and relevant input, where required and deemed appropriate by this group, from affiliates and members of the FAI and other stakeholders. It will also consult with wider stakeholders including UEFA and FIFA.
5. The Group will report to both Sport Ireland and the FAI Board. The FAI Board will in turn liaise with UEFA to ensure any proposed changes are in line with UEFA policy and practice on governance.
The FAI appeared before the Oireachtas Committee on April 10th and also five days later, Irish football's governing body issued further written responses to the committee. And the same day, former CEO Delaney had "offered to voluntarily step aside" from his position as Executive Vice-President of the FAI.
The following day, Minister for Sport Shane Ross also announced that the entire FAI board intended to step down.
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