The Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, today announced his intention to appoint Mr Joe Healy as Chairperson of the Board An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri Food Regulator). Mr. Healy will be joined by seven ordinary Board members also to be appointed by the Minister. All of the Board appointments will formally commence when the Regulator is formally established which, the Minister announced today, will be on Wednesday 13 December 2023.
Minister McConalogue said:
“The formal establishment of the new Regulator’s Office is now in sight which is a major milestone in our commitment to bring more fairness and transparency to the agri-food supply chain. Appointing the Board is the next step and I am delighted with the calibre of Board members who have put themselves forward to serve. All have come through a full selection process which has now concluded. I am delighted to confirm my intention to nominate Mr. Joe Healy to be the Chairperson of the Board. Joe brings a vast amount of experience on all aspects of the agricultural and food supply chain. He has the requisite leadership and organisational skills to steer the strategy and governance of the new Regulator as it begins its historic journey to bring greater fairness and transparency to the agri-food sector.”
Minister Mc Conalogue also announced his intention to appoint the following persons as ordinary members to the Board.
Mr. John Comer,
Ms. Karen Brosnan,
Ms. Margaret Dineen,
Ms. Elaine Donohue,
Mr. Angus Woods,
Ms. Grace McCullen
Mr. Paul Brophy
On the proposed appointment of the ordinary members, Minister Mc Conalogue said:
“The proposed board members all have expertise in matters relevant to the Regulator’s functions. Their combined experience and knowledge will be of huge benefit to the new body as they support the Chairperson to lead and direct the activities of An Rialálaí Agraibhia as it commences its work and to work with the CEO designate Niamh Lenehan in the effective management of the new Regulator. I am particularly pleased to be in a position to appoint an even gender balance on the Board which helps to fulfil my commitment to improving diversity in our State bodies.
Mr. Joe Healy said:
“I am honoured to be nominated by Minister McConalogue to fulfil this important role as Chair of the first Board of the new Agri-Food Regulator and I look forward to taking up the role in the coming weeks. All stakeholders need to have trust and confidence in the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain and also in this new Regulator and I look forward to working with both my Board colleagues and the CEO of the Regulator, Niamh Lenehan, to put in the place the strategy and functions to deliver on our mandate. It is a hugely positive development for suppliers to now have a Regulator who will provide analysis of information about price and market data as well as having powers to investigate reports of suspected breaches and pursue offences where they occur in unfair trading practices”.
Minister Mc Conalogue also confirmed that the offices of An Rialálaí Agraibhia will be based in the Government shared offices campus in Backweston, Celbridge, Co. Kildare. The first Board meeting of the Office is scheduled for Wednesday 13 December to coincide with the establishment day of the new Office.
This proposed Chairperson and members were selected following a competition held by the State Boards Appointments service.
Source: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine , November 28th 2023.
