Present
- Ms Ann Horan (AH) (Chair)
- Mr Patrick Knight (PK)
- Ms Lisa Manselli (LM)
- Ms Carol Lynch (CL) (online)
- Mr Gerard McCurdy (GMcC)
- Prof Helen Roche (HR)
- Mr Martin Blake (MB)
- Ms Eilis O’Brien (EOB)
- Dr Geraldine Duffy (DGD)
- Prof Francis Butler (FB)
In attendance
- Mr Greg Dempsey (GD), Chief Executive
- Mr Kevin Roantree (KR), Director of Corporate Affairs, Head of Governance and CRO
For items: 5 &6 - Ms Michelle Minihan (MM), Director of Audit, Incidents and Investigations
- Sinead Murphy (SM) Enforcement Policy Manager
For item 4.1 - Prof Martin Cormican (MC) For item 4.2
- Dr Wayne Anderson (WA) Director of Food Science and Standards
For items 5.3- 5.3.3 - Ms Fiona Dwyer (FD), Board Secretary
Apologies
None
1.0 Board Matters
The Chair welcomed all attendees to the meeting, in particular Dr Geraldine Duffy who has been appointed as the new Chair of the Scientific Committee by the Minister for Health. As Chair of the Scientific Committee, Geraldine is also appointed as a member of the Board. The Chair thanked Martin Blake for agreeing to take on the role of “Buddy” to DGD for her initial months on the Board.
A round table of introductions was held.
The Chair noted that there were no apologies received and that CL will join the meeting online at approximately 11.00am.
1.1 Declarations of Interest
There were no conflicts of interest declared.
1.2 Minutes of the last meetings 3rd February 2026
The Board approved the minutes of the meeting held on 3rd February 2025, as tabled.
1.3 Matters arising
It was noted that all actions from the previous meeting have been closed.
1.4 Review of the Board Workplan
The Board reviewed the workplan, noting that the plan is on track.
1.5 Actions resulting from the Board Effectiveness review.
The Chair provided an overview of the paper, which included the 7 key recommendations made by Indecon, our responses, and proposed actions to improve Board effectiveness. The Board approved the actions, which will be incorporated into the 2026 Board Workplan.
Action: FD to add the actions resulting from the Board Effectiveness review to the 2026 Board Workplan.
2.0 CEO Report
The CEO’s report was taken as read.
At the request of the Board the CEO provided an update on current status of the infant formula recall. The Chair on behalf of the Board commended the FSAI staff on their handling of the recall.
GD informed the Board that, following approval at the last meeting, the Business Plan 2026 and the Oversight and Performance Delivery agreements were discussed with the Department of Health (DoH) at their February governance meeting and the papers were approved by the DoH with no significant changes.
The Board discussed the FSAI’s appearance at the Joint Oireachtas Committee meeting on labelling on the 11th February 2026.
The Board discussed the Food Safety Consultative Council (FSCC) open meeting on Navigating Misinformation in Food Safety, held on 5th March 2026. Board members who attended the event noted that it was a successful, informative and well attended event. The Board discussed their role in appointing 12 of the 24 members of the new FSCC.
Action: Gail Carroll will provide an update on the process for appointment of FSCC members by the Board at their May meeting.
Board members asked questions and commented on a number of other items including the proposed Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, service contracts for the Official Agencies, labelling of foods for Special Medical Purposes, staff resources and prosecutions. The CEO responded to all questions.
The Board congratulated the Food Reformulation Task Force on their best practice case study which will be published by WHO.
Action: GD to revert to the Board at the next meeting in relation to an ongoing legal matter.
3. Food Safety Control System
The schedule of recent enforcement orders, the Audit, Incidents & Investigations Report and Performance Dashboard were noted by Board members.
The Board agreed with the proposal to remove the reference text from the enforcement report to a separate document in the Documents section of IBABs.
Action: FD to organise the amendment of the enforcement report and the creation of and placement of a reference text / definitions document in iBAB’s documents section.
4. Delivery of Strategy
4.1 Presentation from Michelle Minihan on key updates within the AI&I Functional Area and progress on the implementation of the Strategic Priority including an update on Food Fraud
MM gave her presentation and invited questions from the Board members.
Following a query, MM provide an update on the review of the AI&I functional area by external consultants, Allagi. Board members noted that while resources have increased within the AI&I team, it would appear that there may still be an under-resourcing issue and expressed their desire to support the Executive in securing approval for any necessary additional positions.
In addition to the update, MM included a presentation on the FSAI approach to food fraud and authenticity issues. Board members asked about the fraud training provided to Inspectors. MM informed the Board that in 2024 FSAI developed a programme of training on food fraud which was offered to official agency staff to develop competency in the area. MM confirmed that she will look at the feasibility of providing this training again.
4.2 Presentation from Sinead Murphy on Service Contract agreements with DAFM and HSE
SM provided a presentation on the renewal of Service Contact agreements with the HSE and DAFM and answered the questions arising from the Board.
The Board suggested that measures of effectiveness be included in the agreed service contracts.
SM agreed to provide regular updates on the progress in the Board papers.
5. Board and Statutory Committees
5.1 Performance & Remuneration Committee (PRC)
The Chair provided an update on the PRC meeting of the 3rd February 2026. She confirmed that the committee conducted a review the performance of the CEO and is very satisfied with his performance to date.
The Chair noted that approved minutes of PRC meetings are available to read within the documents section of IBABs.
5.2 Audit and Risk Committee (ARC)
GMcC provided an update on ARC meetings held on 9th March and 27th March.
He explained that an additional meeting was convened for the 27th March as the C&AG Management Letter and Internal Audit Report on Internal Controls were not available for review at the earlier meeting.
Based upon assurances received from the ARC, the Board confirmed that they are satisfied that the internal controls of the FSAI are fit for purpose.
The approved minutes of the ARC meetings are available for viewing within the documents section of IBABS.
5.2.1 ARC Annual report
The Chair thanked the ARC for their Annual Report, acknowledging that it highlights the amount of work carried out by the ARC on behalf of the Board and for this the Board are very appreciative.
5.3 Scientific Committee
The Chair thanked Professor Martin Cormican for attending the meeting online to finalise the work of the previous Scientific Committee.
5.3.1 Scientific Committee Reports for Approval to Publish
MC provided an overview of each of the four reports tabled and the Board approved the documents for publication, as follows:
(1) Scientific recommendations for food-based dietary guidelines for adolescents in Ireland;
(2) Foodborne risk to human health of hepatitis E virus in pigs and pigmeat in Ireland;
(3) Mitigation measures for dioxins and polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) in terrestrial farm animals with access to outdoor pastures;
(4) Evaluation of food hygiene rating systems and recommendations for Ireland.
5.3.2 Scientific Committee Handbook
DGD provided an overview of the new Scientific Committee Handbook and the Board approved the handbook.
5.3.3 New Scientific Committee
The Board noted the press release on the membership of the new Scientific Committee.
The Chair on behalf of the Board thanked Dr Wayne Anderson and his team for managing the process to shortlist candidates for selection and appointment to the new Scientific Committee by the Minister for Health. She noted that through her role in the selection process, that she witnessed an impressive process and the extensive amount of detailed work involved.
7.0 Organisational Matters
The reports were taken as read and the Executive addressed queries from Board members.
The Board noted receipt of the letter of allocation, and the fact that the 2026 budget was in line with recent expectations.
The Board approved the draft 2025 financial statements including the statement on internal control, subject to the correction of a typo in the “Key Personnel Changes” paragraph.
The Board noted the latest iteration of the Risk Register, which was also reviewed by the ARC at their March meeting.
8.0 AOB
8.3 Board Away meeting July 2026
FD provided an overview of the itinerary and draft agenda for the Board and SLT meeting planned for July.
Private Session
The Executive left the meeting and the Board members held a short private session.
The meeting concluded at 1.15pm.
Date of next meeting: 5th May at 10.00am.
FSAI Board Actions: March 2026
| # | Action | Date Raised | Owner | Status | TCD Month/Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Actions of the Board Effectiveness review to be included in the Board 2026 workplan. | Mar 26 | FD | Closed | May 2026 |
| 2 | Gail Carroll to provide an update on the process for appointment of FSCC members by the Board at the May meeting. | Mar 26 | FD | Closed | May 2026 |
| 3 | Revert to the Board at the next meeting in relation to an ongoing legal case. | Mar 26 | GD | Closed | May 2026 |
| 4 | Enforcements definitions document to be added iBAB’s documents section. | Mar 26 | FD | Closed | May 2026 |
5 actions closed from the previous meeting on 3rd February.
To Note: Actions raised by the Board will be placed into the Actions table and remain there until completed (or removed by request of the Chair). Once an action is completed it will be marked as such for one meeting prior to being removed.