An academic has been chosen to appoint the members of the new board of the Abbey Theatre as part of a radical reform.
Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism John O'Donoghue has confirmed that John Fairleigh has been appointed to the selection committee which will choose eight of the 11 new board members of the century-old institution.
Mr Fairleigh, a fellow of the Institute of Irish Studies at Queen's University in Belfast, is a director of the Stewart Parker Trust, which works to support and encourage new playwrights in Ireland. He was a member of the outgoing advisory council of the Abbey Theatre.
Mr O'Donoghue said: "He will bring considerable knowledge, experience and expertise to the committee and I wish him and the committee every success in the task ahead."
Mr Fairleigh will join Olive Braiden, chairwoman of the Arts Council, and the chairman of the Abbey board, Judge Bryan McMahon, on the three-person selection committee.
The committee will be selecting eight of the 11 members of the new company board from a variety of disciplines.