Chairman, IECE
Most Reverend Seámus Hegarty
Most Reverend Seámus Hegarty, Bishop of Derry, is the current Chairman of the Irish Episcopal Commission for Emigrants.  He received his education in Kilcar N.S., St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny and St Patrick's College, Maynooth (1959-'66).  He graduated in Celtic Studies and is fluent in Irish, English and German.

As a member of the IECE, the Bishop regularly visited Irish and Donegal emigrant groups in Britain and the United States and was largely instrumental in setting up an emigrant mission in Munich. As a member of this commission and as a northern bishop, he could not but be concerned about the ‘Troubles’ and his voice was heard clearly and courageously in condemnation of abuses of the law and atrocities.
In 2004 Bishop Hegarty established the Support Irish Abroad (SIA) campaign, which raises funds to assist vulnerable and marginalized Irish emigrants living abroad.

Director, IECE
Rev. Alan Hilliard
Rev. Alan Hilliard is a Dublin Diocesan priest and a native of Coolock. He took up the post of director of the Irish Episcopal Commission for Emigrants in 2003. He is also chair of Emigrant Advice Network (ÉAN) and sits on the board of Emigrant Advice.

Previous to his work as director, Fr. Alan spent time working as Emigrant Chaplain and establishing the Irish Chaplaincy in the parish of Bondi in Sydney, Australia. On his return from Sydney Alan took up the post of Pastoral Care Manager for the Special Olympics World Games 2003. Fr. Alan was involved with the establishment of a new parish in Lucan South, County Dublin. The parish opened a new Church in September 2000. He was also based as a priest in Ringsend, Dublin as well as teaching in Dublin Vocational Schools for seven years.

Secretary/Administrator
Mrs. Caroline Navagh
Caroline is a native of Navan, Co. Meath and has been secretary to the IECE since May 2002.