The Ice Skating Association of Ireland is now a speed skating member of the ISU ©Ice Skating Association of Ireland

The Ice Skating Association of Ireland (ISAI) has been granted provisional speed skating membership of the International Skating Union (ISU).

This decision, made by the new ISU Council after a meeting following the ISU Congress in Dubrovnik earlier this month, follows a proposal submitted in May.

It means that from July 1 speed skating member of the national body will be able to compete in international competition - in either long or short-track events.

The ISAI was already a full figure skating ISU member, meaning the nation will also now have two votes in any future ISU Congress.

Ireland has never won a medal at the Winter Olympic Games ©Getty Images
Ireland has never won a medal at the Winter Olympic Games ©Getty Images

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the ISU for granting the ISAI provisional membership for speed skating," said ISAI President Karen O'Sullivan.

"We are delighted with this news and are looking forward to growing speed skating in Ireland and internationally."

They would expect to be upgraded to full membership soon.

Ireland has competed in six of the last seven Winter Olympics, but has never sent an athlete in any skating event.

The European nation is also yet to win a Winter Olympic medal.

Alpine skier Conor Lyne carried the flag at the Opening Ceremony to lead a five-strong team at Sochi 2014.