Government appoints Martin Sisk as Marine Institute Chair for five years, tasked with guiding Ireland’s marine research agenda. Photo: HIQA
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, has announced the appointment of Martin Sisk as the new Chairperson of the Marine Institute, Ireland’s national marine research agency.
Mr Sisk, a qualified solicitor, brings a wide-ranging background in law, financial regulation, and public governance. He began his career with the Revenue Commissioners before serving as Registrar of Friendly Societies from 1985 to 2003. He later held senior regulatory positions including Deputy Registrar of Credit Unions and Deputy Head of Consumer Protection Codes, before leading the Anti-Money Laundering, Terrorist Finance, and Financial Sanctions Unit at the Central Bank.
Minister Heydon said: “I very much welcome the Government’s appointment of Martin Sisk as Chairperson of the Marine Institute. Mr Sisk brings with him a strong legal background and extensive experience across a number of Government Committees. The Marine Institute is widely regarded and provides world-class scientific and technical advice to Government which helps inform policy and supports the sustainable development of Ireland’s marine resources. Mr Sisk’s leadership of the Board will ensure the continued delivery of this critical work.”
Alongside his regulatory career, Sisk has extensive board-level experience. He served as Chairperson of VHI Healthcare, was President of the Irish League of Credit Unions, and held positions on the boards of HIQA, the National Treatment Purchase Fund, and the Interim Board of the Office of Government Procurement.
Minister of State for Fisheries and Marine, Timmy Dooley TD, said: “The work undertaken by the Marine Institute is extensive – whether that be the provision of fish stock data, ocean and climate services, marine environmental monitoring, seabed mapping – and it allows us to better understand our marine ecosystems upon which Ireland’s seafood sector depends. Indeed, the sustainable development of Ireland’s seafood sector and the sustainable management of Ireland’s seas and oceans are dependent on the scientific advice provided by the Marine Institute.”
Sisk will serve as Chairperson for a five-year term, guiding the Institute at a time when pressures from climate change, marine conservation, and the sustainable management of fisheries are increasing demands on scientific advice to government.
Source: Press Release