Main speakers for Donegal People’s Assembly announced

The panelists/main speakers for the Donegal People’s Assembly have been announced.

The event, which is being organised by Sinn Féin, is intended to allow people in Donegal and the North-West to have their say on Irish Unity and the future of Ireland.

It will be chaired by the former head of Údaras na Gaeltachta, Micheál Ó hÉanaigh, the event will be taking place at the Balor Arts Centre in Ballybofey on Monday, February 13 at 7pm.

Submissions to the Donegal People’s Assembly can be made online now at www.sinnfein.ie/futureofireland

You can register to attend the event at: www.eventbrite.ie/e/donegal-peoples-assembly-on-the-future-of-ireland-tickets-466279493517

The panellists are:

Professor Terri Scott. Terri recently retired as Pro Vice-Chancellor at Ulster University. She is an accomplished leader with a track record of leading change within education and public sector organisations. Prior to her role at Ulster, Terri was CEO of Northern Regional College.

Terri has previously held leadership positions in higher education in the UK and Ireland and was President of IT Sligo from 2008-2014.  She is an experienced non-executive, having served on the Boards of IDA, Intertrade Ireland, Grangegorman Development Agency, MLK Development Board, Ofqual and Enterprise NI. 

Noelle Duddy. Noelle is a former chair of Donegal Action for Cancer Care (DACC) and spokesperson for Co-operating for Cancer Care NorthWest, CCC(NW).

Noelle is currently a member of the Cancer Patient Advisory Committee, DoH and a member of the Ireland-Northern Ireland-National Cancer Institute Cancer Consortium, Implementation Group. 

Paul Hannigan. Paul has an extensive background in Higher Education and served as President of LYIT from 2008 until he became Head of College at ATU Donegal when LYIT was designated part of the Atlantic Technological University.

Paul is a former member of the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and a former Director of the Central Applications Office (CAO). He currently serves on the Donegal Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) and the North West Regional Executive of IBEC.

Toni Forrester. Toni has been Chief Executive of Letterkenny Chamber for 14 years. Over that time she has worked through a recession, recovery and Covid and has striven to ensure the Chamber makes a relevant contribution to the economic development of the region.

Toni has been working with businesses and stakeholder organisations for many years in business advice, marketing and leadership training. She is passionate about small business development and creating an environment for connecting people and beneficial networking.

Seamus Neely. Seamus served as Chief Executive of Donegal County Council from July 2010 until July 2020 and has extensive board experience in the public and community sectors.

Seamus started his public service career with Donegal County Council before moving to various roles in Monaghan and Cavan Town and County Councils