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Members Present

  • Geraldine Duffy (Chair) (GD)
  • Andrew Flanagan (AF)
  • Ann Marie Part (AMP)
  • Avril Hobson (AH)
  • Craig Slattery (CS)
  • Declan Bolton (DB)
  • Eoin O’Brien (EOB)
  • Eileen Gibney (EG)
  • Fiona Regan (FR)
  • Gillian Gardiner (GG)
  • Helene McNulty (HMcN)
  • Jesus Frias (JF)
  • Neil Rowan (NR)
  • Montserrat Gutierrez (MG)
  • Sinéad McCarthy (SMcC)

FSAI Staff Present

  • Wayne Anderson (WA)
  • Clare O’Donovan (COD)
  • Cristina Arroyo-Casabona (CAC)
  • Greg Dempsey (GDe)
  • Karl McDonald (KMcD)
  • Lisa O’Connor (LOC)
  • Mary Flynn (MF)
  • Micheál O’Mahony (MOM)
  • Judith Giles (JG)

Apologies

  • Rob Phillips (RP)

1. Welcome and Introductions

Geraldine Duffy, Chair, welcomed the members to the first meeting of the Scientific Committee for the term 2026–2031. The purpose of this meeting was to outline the role of the Scientific Committee and the expectations for members. Brief introductions were made. The FSAI CEO, Mr Greg Dempsey, welcomed the members on behalf of the Executive and the Board and provided members with an overview of the FSAI structure and strategy.

2. FSAI Presentations

The following presentations were given by FSAI staff outlining the work of the FSAI:

  • Review of Past Scientific Committees’ Work (Wayne Anderson)
  • Biological Safety (Lisa O’Connor)
  • Chemical Safety (Karl McDonald)
  • Food Science & Technology (Cristina Arroyo-Casabona)
  • Veterinary Public Health & Agriculture (Micheál O’Mahony)
  • Public Health Nutrition (Mary Flynn & Clare O’Donovan)

It was suggested that information on emerging risks could be useful for the Committee. It was agreed that WA would discuss how this might be achieved with the Chair.

Action

  • WA/GD to discuss sharing of information on emerging risks.

3. Scientific Committee Governance

WA provided an overview of governance arrangements for the committee, including the role of the committee in the FSAI Act, dec larations of interest, conflicts of interest, confidentiality, rules for meetings, setting up subcommittees and working groups, and the adoption and publication of scientific advice.Members are appointed in their own capacity and do not represent any organisation. The committee reports to the FSAI Board. Advice is also published in the EFSA Food Risk Assess Europe (FRAE) journal, which gives more visibility to the work of the committee. WA asked the members to familiarise themselves with the governance information. Members can contact the Chair and WA with any questions on these matters. The issue of AI was mentioned, and its use in Scientific Committee work will need to be discussed at a later stage.

Action

  • WA/GD to discuss the use of AI for Committee work.

4. Draft Work Plan

The Chair outlined the proposed areas of work in the draft work plan. All topics are open for discussion and will be prioritised. Further input is needed from the Chief Specialists in the areas of food science and technology and environmental health. Members provided initial feedback on the topics, including work already ongoing in these areas. WA asked members to provide feedback by the end of the following week. The work plan will be brought to the Board for approval.

Actions

  • Members to send feedback on the draft work plan by 8 May.
  • WA to send the work plan to the Board for approval.

5. Subcommittees and Chairs

The Chair noted that three standing subcommittees will be set up for Biological Safety, Chemical Safety and Public Health Nutrition. The members were asked to self-nominate for the positions of Subcommittee Chair prior to the meeting. The Chair thanked all those who self-nominated and the positions were ratified as followsr:

  •  Biological Safety Subcommittee – Montse Gutierrez
  • Chemical Safety Subcommittee – Andrew Flanagan
  • Public Health Nutrition Subcommittee – Eileen Gibney.

Members were asked to self-nominate for the positions of Subcommittee Chair prior to the meeting. The Chair thanked all those who self-nominated, and the positions were ratified as follows:

  • Biological Safety Subcommittee – Montse Gutierrez
  • Chemical Safety Subcommittee – Andrew Flanagan
  • Public Health Nutrition Subcommittee – Eileen Gibney

Members were asked to indicate whether they are interested in joining one of these subcommittees.The relevant Chief Specialists and Subcommittee Chairs will begin the selection process using the list of applicants who applied to participate in subcommittees. A list of potential members should be brought to the next meeting for agreement. The ad hoc subcommittees will be established at a later stage.

Actions

  • Members to indicate if they wish to join a standing subcommittee by 8 May.
  • Chief Specialists/Subcommittee Chairs to select potential members for the standing subcommittees.
  • Chief Specialists to draft requests for advice once the work plan is agreed.

6. Next Meeting & Close

The next meeting will be scheduled in June and will take place online.

The Chair thanked everyone for a very successful first meeting.

Action

  • JG to issue a Doodle poll for a meeting in June.