BARRY ANDREWS HAS resigned as chief executive of Goal, as the Irish aid agency continues to deal with a US investigation into its multimillion-euro Syria operation.

Andrews informed the board of Goal in August of his intention to step down as soon as a successor could be put in place. The former Fianna Fáil minister’s replacement is expected to be announced later this month.

One of Ireland’s largest aid agencies, Goal is currently dealing with the fallout of a US investigation into its aid operation in Syria.

Earlier this year USAID, Washington’s foreign aid arm, told Goal and a number of other agencies on the Turkey-Syria border to halt certain procurement with US funds pending the outcome of inquiries into alleged bribery and bid-rigging involving suppliers in southeastern Turkey.

The investigation, which is being carried out by the US Office of the Inspector General (OIG), has resulted in Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs withholding €10 million in funding from Goal.

Last month the charity’s chief operating officer Jonathan Edgar resigned.

Irish Aid funding accounted for 9% of Goal’s funding in 2015, providing humanitarian aid to more than 1.15 million people across 10 countries.

In a statement to TheJournal.ie this morning, Andrews confirmed he was stepping down after concluding that Goal needed “a fresh start in terms of leadership”.

Andrews (right) in his role as Fianna Fáil director of elections during the 2012 children's rights referendum. Niall Carson / PA Niall Carson / PA / PA

Uncomfortable

“The circumstances of the OIG investigation over the last seven months has been extremely uncomfortable for Goal,” Andrews said. “And we are working hard on correcting the weaknesses identified and providing all necessary assurances to our donors.

I do not for one moment resent the robust oversight of Goal’s donor partners. Goal applied exacting standards to the management of its programmes and as chief executive he had endeavoured to apply those standards.

However, it has become clear to me that Goal requires a fresh start in terms of leadership.

“To that end, I informed Goal’s board of directors last August of my intention to step down as CEO as soon as a suitable replacement could be identified.”

Andrews will continue to lead Goal management team until next month, when his successor takes up his role.

Until then, he said, he would continue to provide “the necessary assurances to our donors that will allow Goal to continue providing life-saving services to its 12 million beneficiaries.”

Barry Andrews last year, with Siobhán O'Donnell of the DAA. Rollingnews.ie Rollingnews.ie

Department of Foreign Affairs

Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan says he would like to acknowledge the personal contribution made by Barry Andrews.

“I have been seriously concerned about the issues under investigation by the US relating to procurement practices for humanitarian assistance operations for Syria, since learning of the investigation at the end of April,” he said.

My Department has been in regular contact with the US authorities and with GOAL. I outlined the Government’s concerns in a meeting with the Chair and members of the Board of Goal last month.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has withheld €10.1 million in planned funding for Goal pending further clarity on the US investigation and on the plans of GOAL. The Department is maintaining regular contact with the Board of GOAL.”

Turbulent

In a separate statement also released to TheJournal.ie this morning, Goal chairwoman Anne O’Leary thanked Andrews for his dedication and commitment.

She said he had been appointed during a “turbulent time” in Goal’s history – a reference to the rancour surrounding the 2012 departure of Goal founder John O’Shea – but had stabilised the organisation.

“He also led Goal during a period of strong growth,” O’Leary added.

“The number of people Goal have been able to reach has increased in his time from approximately four million people across 13 countries at the end of 2012, to 12 million people across 19 countries by the end of 2015.”

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Read: €3 million in State funding for Goal withheld as investigation into charity’s Syrian finances continues

Read: Irish charity GOAL under US investigation for alleged mismanagement in Syria