FSAI Board Meeting Minutes - 13 May 2025

Present

• Ms Ann Horan (AH) (Chair)
• Mr Patrick Knight (PK)
• Prof Martin Cormican (MC)
• Ms Lisa Manselli (LM)
• Ms Eilis O’Brien (EOB)
• Ms Carol Lynch (CL)
• Mr Martin Blake (MB)
• Prof Francis Butler (FB)
• Mr Gerard McCurdy (GMcC)
• Dr Cliodhna Foley-Nolan (CFN) (online)

In attendance

• Mr Greg Dempsey, Chief Executive
• Dr Wayne Anderson, Director of Food Science and Standards    For item: 2.4
• Dr Michelle Minihan, Director of Audit, Incidents and Investigations    For item: 2.6
• Mr Kevin Roantree (KR), Director of Corporate Affairs, Head of Governance and CRO     For items: 2.2, 2.3, 3.1,3.2 and 3.3
• Ms Fiona Dwyer (FD), Board Secretary    

1.0    Board Matters

The Chair welcomed all attendees to the meeting, in particular the CEO, Greg Dempsey who is now in his third month as CEO.  She noted that evidence of his progress can been seen in the papers he has tabled for today’s meeting.

The Chair provided an overview of the agenda and advised that SLT members, Kevin Roantree, Wayne Anderson and Michelle Minihan would join today’s meeting to present their respective agenda items. 

The Chair informed the Board that she and the CEO will meet with Minister Murnane O’Connor in Leinster House for an introductory meeting following the Board meeting. 

1.1    Declarations of Interest

The Chair advised that MC has informed her that he has become a member of the Green Party.  He had previously declared this is in his annual Declaration on Interest and she was satisfied that this was in order. 

1.2 Minutes of the last meetings: 18th March 2025

The Board approved the minutes of the meeting 18th March 2025 as tabled.   

1.3    Matters arising 

FD provided an update on open actions.

1.4    Enforcement Orders

The schedule of recent enforcement orders was noted by Board members. 

2.0    Business Planning and Reporting 

2.1    CEO Report 

The CEO provided an overview of his report.  He outlined the additional changes he intends to make to the format and content of the report going forward.  He noted that his report today is still in the evolution phase from where he would like the final version to be but has incorporated some of the changes.  

Board members welcomed the changes and direction of the report as outlined by the CEO. In particular, the new agenda item on organisation performance and the plan to separate the CEO report and organisational performance data. 

The CEO responded to questions from the Board in relation to the content of his report.  Areas discussed included the importance of the international dimension to food safety, artificial intelligence, engagement with the official agencies and the people strategy.  A suggestion was made to include enforcement orders under the agenda heading Delivery and Performance of Statutory Functions. 

2.2    Q1 Business Plan progress report 

GD provided a high-level overview of the performance of the organisation for Q1 against the 2025 Business Plan 2025.  He advised the Board that overall, the Business Plan Q1 report is aligned to the anticipated year end position. Following request from the Board, GD confirmed that due consideration will be given to providing accurate status updates against quarterly milestones and adequate notice will be given to the Board should any delays in progress arise. 

The Board asked that the Executive consider splitting the Business Plan into two documents in order to separate the progress of business as usual and development work. 

The Board noted the progress report in relation to the 5 strategic priorities.  The Chair stated that a member of the SLT will lead on each of the 5 strategic priorities and attend a Board meeting to provide an outline of their strategic priority and its progress.  She noted that the first of the series will be a presentation from KR on the data driven strategic priority.  The Chair invited KR to present. 

2.3 Data Centric Presentation by Kevin Roantree

KR provided the Board with a presentation on the FSAI’s data vision, roadmap and data driven programme for 2025. He also provided an overview of the roll out of Power BI for all FSAI staff. The data driven group will also be leading on the use of AI in the FSAI which will commence with the development of a staff user guide for AI.

Following KR’s presentation, the Board held a discussion in relation to engagement with official agencies on the provision of inspection data.  GD informed the Board that initial discussions have been held with DAFM and HSE in relation to provision of data. He will continue to keep the Board updated on discussions with the official agencies. 

The Board questioned whether there is a risk register aligned to the delivery of key strategic projects and KR informed the Board that the Programme Management Office hold a register of risks associated with the delivery of the strategic priorities and projects. 

The Board commended the work of the Data Driven group noting that they had already achieved significant progress.  The Chair also recognised the work of John Graham in relation to the roll out of Power BI to all staff and thanked KR for his presentation.

Action: FD to post presentations on the Board digital platform. 

2.4    Presentation from Wayne Anderson on the Direction of FSAI Science between 2026 and 2030

The Chair welcomed WA to the Board meeting. WA provide a presentation to the Board on the outputs from the current Science Strategy, the development process for the new Science Roadmap 2026-2030 and an overview of the demands and challenges of his functional area.  Following his presentation, WA answered questions from the Board members. 

The Chair thanked WA for his presentation and offered their assistance should it be needed. 

WA thanked the Board and informed them that the draft Science Strategy will be provided to the Board for review when available.  

2.6 Paper on the Environment, Climate and Sustainability Update 

The Chair welcomed Michelle Minihan, Senior Leadership Champion for Environment, Climate and Sustainability to the meeting. The Chair noted that MM had provided a presentation to the Board last year and was invited to return to this meeting to provide an update on the progress made over the last year.  The Chair stated that the paper was taken as read and invited MM to update the Board on the work of the green team and provide an assessment of whether FSAI are meeting our obligations under Environment, Climate and Sustainability.  

MM provided her assessment and answered the questions of the Board members. The Board were satisfied with progress to date and asked that MM provide them with regular updates. 

Action: MM to ensure that the reporting obligations under the Climate Action Plan are being met are included within the Annual report for 2024.
Action: FSAI’s report to SEAI to be circulated to the Board members for information. 

3.0    Finance and Governance Matters

3.1    Finance and Governance Report 

KR provided the overview of the Finance and Governance Report including the FSAI’s current financial position.

The Chair requested that item 3.3 was taken next. 

3.3    Audit and Risk Committee Update 

Gerry McCurdy, Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee provided an update to the Board on the ARC meeting 8th May 2025. He noted that with the addition Carol Lynch and Brendan Harte as new members the ARC is now at full membership.  He also stated that where possible the CEO has agreed to attend the remaining meetings for 2025.

He noted that all outstanding invoices relating to the Local Authority Veterinary service have been paid and LAVS funding is no longer part of the FSAI accounts.

GMcC informed the Board that Bernard Hegarty, Director of Enforcement Policy attended the meeting to provide a presentation which considered “With the transfers of LAVS to DAFM in what way does that present a risk or opportunity to the FSAI?”, Following BH’s presentation the ARC asked that further consideration be given to risks remaining following the transfer, especially during the embedding period, be maintained on the Risk Register, noting that there remains an ancillary risk while the local authority inspections are carried out under the Dept of Agriculture Food and the Marine. 

GMcC noted that BDO attended the ARC meeting to discuss the findings of their internal audit on incidents, after which the management responses, corrective actions and timeframes were discussed at length with the Executive. He assured the Board that the ARC is satisfied that the Executive recognised the position as presented in the audit report and they are confident that they have the ability to deal effectively with incidents as they arise. 

GMcC pointed out that the Risk Register has been amended to highlight the target risk rating that FSAI are aiming to achieve and a section to highlight progress against mitigating actions.
The Risk Appetite Statement has also been amended to include a high-level executive summary as well as a section indicating our risk tolerance against the 4 strategic goals. 

A review of the FSAI’s Risk Management Framework has been scheduled for over the summer period. 
The Board discussed our internal audit contract which will end in February 2026.  The tender process for a new contract will commence over the summer months.  

3.2    Risk Register 

The Board noted the amendments to the Risk Register and Risk Appetite Statement as discussed under item 3.3. 

MC questioned whether the register would benefit from a risk related to the addition of trade tariffs.  The Executive will consider this. 

3.4    Performance & Remuneration Committee update  

The Chair provided an update in the PRC meeting held 18th March. She informed the Board that at this meeting a draft set of objectives for the first 6 months of 2025 was agreed with the CEO.  A meeting will be set for end July to discuss the CEOs objectives for the second half of the year.  

Action: FD to arrange the next meeting of the PRC for July 2025. 

3.4.1 Terms of Reference of the Performance & Remuneration Committee (PRC)

The Board reviewed the amendments to the PRC Terms of Reference.  It was agreed to include that the quorum of two will require one of the two in attendance to be the Chair.  Subject to this change the terms of reference were approved.  

3.5 Scientific Committee update

MC informed the Board that the Scientific Committee are working to complete all aspects of their workplan before the end of their term in February 2026.  While this will be very challenging, he is hopeful that this goal can be reached and has scheduled a series of meetings for the remainder of the year with this goal in mind.  

The Board recommend a broad spectrum of food safety professionals be included in the composition of the new Scientific Committee. 

The Board discussed the process for establishing a new committee and noted that the process has already commenced.   

3.6    Draft Annual Report  

As discussed under agenda item 2.6 above, section 7.1 will be revised in relation to our climate action plan reporting obligations.  

Subject to agreed amendments from the Board they confirmed that the Annual Report 2024 can be sent to the designers and published and upon completion of the audit by the Office of the C&AG in July the financial papers will be added to the report and republished. 

Action: Comments from MC will be sent to the Communications team for noting 

3.7 Review of the Board Workplan 2025

The Board workplan was reviewed and deem to be on track as planned. 

4    AOB 

4.1 Review of IBABS

The Board discussed the roll out of the new Board digital platform and agreed to send any issues or queries to FD for resolution. 

Action: FD to upload the user manual to the documents section of IBABS. 
Action: FD to speak to IT regarding the strength of the inhouse WiFi when all Board members are online. 

4.2 Lobby Act 

MB queried whether FSAI is covered by the Lobbying Act.  The CEO informed the Board that we are in scope but as yet DEPENDR have not designated any FSAI staff. 

4.3 June Board Meeting

FD provided an overview of the plan for the June Board and SLT facilitated Session and Board meeting. 

5.0    Private Session 

The Board members held a short private session.

Date of next meeting: 17th June 2025

FSAI Board Actions: May 2025

6 actions closed from the previous meeting on 18^th March 2025

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.