Ireland's minister for tourism, culture and sport, Mary Hanafin, has appointed Kieran Mulvey as chair of the Irish Sports Council (ISC) for a five-year term.

Mulvey, who will replace current chair Ossie Kilkenny, is currently chief executive of the Labour Relations Commission and has also served with a number of public sector organisations. Hanafin said: I am sure that [Kieran's] wide range of skills and experience will be of tremendous value to the Irish Sports Council as it works with the National Governing Bodies of Sport.

"I want to express my appreciation to Ossie Kilkenny for his contribution to Irish sport during his time as chair, a period in which improvements have been made in many key areas." ISC has been allocated €49.6m (£41.4m) for the current year to help plan, lead and co-ordinate the development of Irish sport.