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A second member of Fáilte Ireland’s board of directors resigned after it emerged that he went to Spain on vacation for the summer despite the government advising against non-essential travel to the country.
The Irish Examiner reported Tuesday that Breege O’Donoghue went on vacation to her second home in Marbella, Spain, for a week in July and another week in August.
Ms O’Donoghue is the former CEO of the retail giant Primark in its Dublin offices. She retired from the role in 2016.
Spain is not on the government’s “green list” of countries, and current health councils urge members of the public to avoid all non-essential travel there.
Last month, Fáilte Ireland president Michael Cawley resigned after it emerged he was on a family vacation in Italy at a time when the state agency was encouraging people to take vacations.
In a statement Tuesday evening, the Minister for Media, Tourism, Art, Culture, Sport and Gaeltacht, Catherine Martin, said that she had accepted the resignation of Ms O’Donoghue following confirmation that she traveled to the foreigner during the summer.
Ms Martin said she was aware of the “devastating impact” that the Covid-19 restrictions have had on the tourism and hospitality sector, and was “disappointed” to learn that a second board member had traveled abroad. , “despite the advice of the government.” .
“In order to support our own industry, and in accordance with current government health councils, Fáilte Ireland has been at the forefront of promoting national holidays,” he said.
“Ultimately staying home supports our tourism industry in a devastating time, showing solidarity in the face of a pandemic that is costing lives and livelihoods in Ireland and the world.”
The minister said she called Ms O’Donoghue Tuesday night and accepted her offer to resign.
“I want to thank Ms O’Donoghue for her service as a member of the Fáilte Ireland board and for her important contribution to the work of promoting tourism in Ireland during this time,” he said.
“I have accepted her resignation because I think it would not be sustainable for her to continue in the position, given all the circumstances.”
Ms Martin said she had arranged a meeting with the Fáilte Ireland board “at the earliest opportunity”, in which, she says, she would make clear that “board members are expected to show leadership during this time of unprecedented crisis. in the sector they represent ”.
In addition to her work at Primark, Ms. O’Donoghue has served on the board of directors of state-owned companies such as An Post and Aer Rianta and was chair of the Labor Relations Commission for seven years.
In 2016, she was awarded the Chevalier (Knight) de la Ordre National de la Legion d’Honneur, which was presented to her by then-French President Francois Hollande.
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