FSAI Board Meeting Minutes - 4 November 2025

Present

• Ms Ann Horan (AH) (Chair)
• Mr Patrick Knight (PK)
• Ms Lisa Manselli (LM)
• Ms Eilis O’Brien (EOB)
• Ms Carol Lynch (CL)
• Mr Gerard McCurdy (GMcC)
• Prof Francis Butler (FB)
• Dr Helen Roche (HR)
• Prof Martin Cormican (MC) (online)

In attendance

• Mr Greg Dempsey, Chief Executive 
• Mr Kevin Roantree (KR), Director of Corporate Affairs, Head of Governance and CRO For items: 4.1 & 6.1-6.6
• Ms Gail Carroll, Director of Regulatory Affairs and Compliance Building  For items 1.8 & 4.2
• Ms Jacki Wall, Human Resources and Organisational Development Manager      For Items 6.6
• Ms Fiona Dwyer (FD), Board Secretary

Apologies

• Mr Martin Blake (MB) 

1.0    Board Matters

The Chair welcomed all attendees to the meeting, in particular Dr Helen Roche who was attending her first meeting of the Board.  The Chair noted that Cliodhna Foley Nolan, whose term of appointment to the Board ended in October 2025, will join the meeting under AOB where the Board members will have the opportunity to thank Cliodhna for her long service to the Board, her contribution to many committees over the last 26 years and to hear her reflections on her time with the FSAI. 

The Chair thanked all Board members for taking the time to attend the Business Continuity Training session, which took place immediately prior to the Board meeting.

1.1    Declarations of Interest

There were no conflicts of interest declared.  

1.2    Minutes of the last meetings: 16th September 2025

The Board approved the minutes of the meeting 16th September as tabled subject to the inclusion of additional amendments received from MC.  

1.3    Matters arising 

It was noted that all actions have been closed.  The suggestion from EOB to review the statistics for engagement by social media followers has been actioned and incorporated into the update provided by the Communications Team within the tabled Organisational Report. 

1.4    Review of the Board Workplan 

FD provided an update on the 2025 workplan and confirmed that the Board is on schedule to complete the plan for 2025.  

Action: The Board requested that an update on procurement be provided in the December Board papers and agreed that this update be reviewed by the ARC at their November meeting prior to the December Board meeting. 

1.5    Review of the Draft Workplan for 2026 

The Chair invited GD to explain his thinking around the proposed Work Plan for 2026.  The plan includes an additional meeting to be held in July.  He explained that he wants to streamline the process for the preparation of Board papers next year to ensure that they are aligned with ARC, SLT and monthly Manager meetings.  The aim is to avoid duplication and ensure that there is consistency between the papers for each of the suite of meetings.  The Chair explained that the main purpose at this meeting was to get agreement on the proposed dates for next year.  The content of individual meetings and the proposal for a full day session are at the planning stage and will be tabled at a later meeting.  It was agreed that the Board Secretary would circulate the proposed dates for next year by Doodle Poll following the meeting.  
Action: FD to circulate a Doodle poll of the proposed dates to Board members. 

1.6     Board Effectiveness Review Update. 

The Board noted the presentation outlining the workplan and timeline, provided by Indecon at the inception meeting held with the Chair, KR & FD on 13th October 2025.

1.6.1    Update on the status of actions resulting from the 2024 Board Effectiveness survey. 

The Board noted that all timebound actions have been addressed. 

1.7    Update on planned Governance Training 

FD informed the Board that requests for proposals for the procurement of governance refresher training services were send to 3 organisations, two of whom have submitted proposals. The proposals will be reviewed and scored against the review criteria and a training facilitator will be selected in the next two weeks. 

Action: An update on the Board governance training session will be provided at the December Board meeting.  

1.8 Food Safety Consultative Council (FSCC) – Suggestions for 2026-2029 Programme of Work 

GC joined the meeting and provided the Board with a presentation on the process for the development of the FSCC’s 3 year work plan.  

It was noted that GMcC has submitted some topics for consideration and GC advised that any further suggestions can be sent to her for consideration by the Council.

Jamie Knox, Chair of the FSCC will attend the December Board meeting to provide an update on the work of the Council during 2025 and its intentions as regards the work plan for the next 3 years. 

2.0    CEO Report 

The CEO’s report was taken as read. 

Following a robust discussion on the matter, the Board noted the proposal to postpone the  planned DAFM equine audit, noting that such a postponement was a decision for the executive, and that an audit will be reconsidered upon opening of any new equine slaughter facilities.  They requested that they be kept informed of any significant future developments on this topic, which was felt to be a relatively high-risk area. 

The Chair confirmed that following a request from the Communications Teams for Board participation in a workshop on the development of the Communications Strategy, EOB and CL will participate in the workshop on behalf of the Board. 

The Chair congratulated Gail Carroll on her appointment as Deputy Chair of the National Accreditation Board and Michael O’Mahony on his appointment to the Veterinary Council of Ireland. She also conveyed her congratulations to the Food Reformulation Taskforce on hosting a very successful 2-day meeting of the WHO Salt Action Network with Professor Mary Horgan. 

The Board held a discussion on the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS).  GD clarified that the Executive will only make a determination on whether to recommend such a scheme following receipt and consideration of the work of the Scientific Committee and the FSCC.

3.0    Food Safety Control System 

3.1 Enforcement Orders 

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

3.2 Audit, Incidents & Investigations Report 

The Board discussed the paper on Audit, Incidents & Investigations Report.

3.3 & 3.4 Prototype Performance Dashboard 

The Board reviewed the next iteration of the Performance Dashboard. GD noted that the data driven group (a new group convened from all functional areas) is continuing to work to identify gaps in the data, improve categorisations of the data and identify key trends and patterns emerging from the data which will inform further development of the dashboard.   MC had a number of questions in relation to the detail of the dashboard which it was agreed could be addressed offline.    

4.0 Delivery of Strategy  

4.1 Business Plan Q3 report 

The Board reviewed the Q3 report noting that 41 of the 45 PI’s are on track, with aspects of the remaining 4 behind schedule.  Following a discussion on the categorisation of amber and red PI’s, it was agreed to review the legend to improve the clarity of status in future reports. 

In response to a question, the CEO advised that overall, the executive was satisfied with delivery, as indicated by the high level of completed actions, but that further progress on two strategic priorities (delivery of OCR and AI&I) required additional focus and revisions to our approach. 
Action: Review the Business Plan RAG legend to improve clarity of status. 

4.2 Strategic Priority: Hygiene rating scheme for food businesses and agreement on a way forward.

GC gave a presentation on the FSAI strategic priority for the implementation of a hygiene rating scheme for food businesses, outlining the work of the Scientific Committee and FSCC to date, and the proposed next steps following completion of the Scientific Committee report. 

The Board discussed the data generated from the consultation process, noting that results can sometimes be affected by very vocal groups. GC confirmed the team were aware of this issue, and their interpretation of the results reflected this  

4.3 Climate Action Roadmap. 

The Board reviewed the FSAI Climate Action Roadmap and complimented Michelle Miniahan as FSAI Climate Action Champion on the work of the Green Team for producing a very clear and action focused roadmap. 

Subject to clarification on a number of points, the Board approved the roadmap for submission to DECC. 

5.0 Board and Statutory Committees 

5.1 Performance & Remuneration Committee 

No update as the Committee had not met since the last Board meeting.

5.2 Scientific Committee

MC informed the Board that the Scientific Committee have a number of meetings scheduled before the end of the current Committees term in February 2026, in an effort to complete their planned projects. He confirmed that he is hopeful that all work can be completed on time, noting that the proposed Board meeting on 3rd February 2026 will be the final opportunity for the Scientific Committee to bring reports to the Board and all efforts will be made to meet this deadline. 

The Board reviewed the paper provided by Dr Wayne Anderson, Director of Food Science and Standards, which provided a short list of possible candidates for membership of the new Scientific Committee.  The Board were advised that the shortlisting committee worked to ensure that a gender balance, a balance of old and new members and a balance of expertise was achieved when shortlisting the candidates. Unfortunately, there were no applications from candidates with public health experience.   The Board approved the list for submission to the Minister of Health for the selection of the new Scientific Committee.

5.3  Audit and Risk Committee

No update as the Committee had not met since the last Board meeting.

6.0 Organisational Matters (6.1 ,6.2, 6.3,6.4)

The reports were taken as read and the Executive addressed queries by Board members.  

The Board approved a contract for the provision of external ICT services and delegated the signing of the contract to the CEO. 

A discussion was held on the provision for a 1% pay increase and corresponding payroll allocation under a local bargaining element of the pay agreement. KR confirmed that we have not yet received guidance from the DoH on this, which represents a financial and operational risk as FSAI must accrue for the potential increase.  KR will keep the Board updated on the response from the DoH. 

6.5 Presentation on the Work of Corporate Affairs

KR provided a presentation on the work of Corporate Affairs and the key achievements of the team in 2025. 

6.6 Presentation by Jacki Wall on the People Strategy 

JW provide a presentation on the People Strategy and its implementation plan.  The Board will be kept up to date on progress via their Organisational Matters Reports. 

7.0    Review of Governance Documents. 

7.1  Revised Board Code of Conduct

Following discussion, it was agreed that this document needs further revision and should be re-submitted at the December Board meeting for approval.

7.2  Revised Board Terms of Reference

The Board approved the revised version of this document.  

Action: GD and FD to incorporate suggestions received in relation to the Board Code of Conduct and bring it to the December Board meeting for agreement. 

8.0 AOB

It was noted that the Board and SLT subcommittee established to review the findings of the facilitated session, met on the 23rd October and will provide an update on their suggestions and proposed action plan at the December meeting. 

Action: KR, GC, PK, LM to provide an update on the subcommittee meeting at the next Board meeting, 2nd December 2025. 

Cliodhna Foley Nolan joined the Board meeting.  On behalf of the Board the Chair thanked Cliodhna for her valuable contribution to the Board, as well has her years of service to many FSAI committees, which began at its inception 26 years ago. The Chair invited Cliodhna to share her reflections and any parting advice to the Board, after which Cliodhna thanked all her fellow Board members and the staff of the FSAI for their support, noting that it was a privilege and an honour to the part of the FSAI.  GMcC as Chair of the ARC thanked Cliodhna for her contribution and service to the ARC. 

Private Session 

The Executive left and the Board members held a private session.

The meeting concluded at 1.15pm.

Date of next meeting: 2nd December 2025

FSAI Board Actions: November 2025

9 actions closed from the previous meeting on 16^th September 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.