Former tánaiste Mary Harney has been appointed Chancellor of University of Limerick, and Chairperson of UL's Governing Authority.
University of Limerick said that Ms Harney will take up office as Chancellor of the university immediately and that her tenure will extend to 2022.
Ms Harney is already the director of a number of private companies in pharmaceutical, healthcare, technology and financial services sectors. Last October, she was appointed chairperson of the telehealth provider VideoDoc.
UL President Dr Des Fitzgerald welcomed the appointment of Ms Harney.
He said that the appointment will allow the college to draw on her "extensive experience as a leader and as an eminent public figure in Ireland and internationally".
Ms Harney said that she was "deeply honoured" with the appointment.
She said: "UL is a nimble, responsive university at the forefront of innovation in pedagogy, delivering research with significant real world impact and yet has huge potential to grow and mature.
"I look forward to working with the President and the Governing Authority to develop further and enhance the education and research potential of this great university."
