Roy Barrett is to step down as independent chairperson of the Football Association of Ireland.
Today the FAI informed members of the General Assembly of Barrett's decision to step away from the role he has held since January 2020 until his successor is appointed.
Barrett, a managing director at Goodbody Stockbrokers, assumed the role amid a time of upheaval in the association, stating at the time he chose the role as he believed the FAI had an important role to play in developing the game at every level in Ireland.
Independent director Gary Twohig is also to step down and will now not be seeking ratification as a Director of the FAI at the resumed AGM on 21 January.
Barrett said in a statement that the decision was in the "best long-term interest of the FAI and the game of football in Ireland".
"My intention to step down from my position provides a clear opportunity for the Board, to ensure that at least 40% of the directors are female by the end of 2023, as required by the Constitution, and the Memorandum of Understanding with Government," he said.
"I have been chairperson for the last three years and, whilst there have been many challenges, I am pleased with the progress that the organisation has made over the period," he said.
"We now have much greater financial stability, we have a new CEO and management team which I am increasingly impressed with and there is a clear direction for our sport in Ireland, as evidenced by the 2022-2025 Strategy we approved last year.
"I will continue to fulfil my role and responsibilities with the same energy and enthusiasm until a replacement is found."
CEO Jonathan Hill praised the pair for their contribution during a "transitional time" for the governing body.
"Their decision clearly creates the platform for the association to achieve gender balance targets, which we are confident will be the right thing for Irish football into the future."
The FAI said a public process to replace Barrett and Twohig will be overseen "in the coming months".
