The Football Association of Ireland has appointed Roy Barrett as the Independent Chairperson of the association.

In a statement this evening, the association also announced that Catherine Guy and Liz Joyce were joining the FAI board as independent directors.

The appointments were ratified at an FAI board meeting in Dublin.

A fourth independent director is also due to be appointed in the coming weeks.

The association has described the appointments as a cornerstone of the Governance Review Group report which was published in July of last year.

Speaking following his appointment, Mr Barrett - who is a Managing Director at Goodbody Stockbrokers – said he chose to take on the role as he believed the FAI had an important role to play in developing the game at every level in Ireland.

"There is a serious job of work to be done to address the very significant failures which have beset the organisation in terms of its governance and its finances," he said.

He added that the new board will now deal with that task "with urgency".

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross welcomed the appointment of the Independent directors.

Minister Ross said, "I welcome the appointment of the Independent directors to the board of the FAI. I am looking forward to a fresh, constructive dialogue opening between the new FAI and the government. The board will now be fully refreshed with the entire old guard removed.

"I am hopeful that all stakeholders will now be able to pursue a common goal of root and branch reform, of changing the culture of the FAI and ensuring that grass roots football , players , staff and volunteers are all protected."

Outgoing FAI President Donal Conway described the appointments as a "milestone" in the reforming of the FAI.

He added that the three were "outstanding candidates with skillsets which will bring real strengths to the board".

Mr Conway described the appointments as a "significant step" for the FAI, as it looks to restore public and government confidence in Irish football.