Patricia Byron new Chair of H&S Authority
16th July 2023
Neale Richmond TD, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, has announced Patricia Byron as the Chairperson of the Health and Safety Authority for a three-year term1.
Patricia, who has many years’ experience in the public and private sectors including two terms as CEO of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, currently sits on the Board of the Central Bank of Ireland Commission as well as chairing a number of public sector Audit committees, including the Department of Finance. Patricia is also Chairperson of the Board of the Health Insurance Authority.
Commenting on Ms. Byron’s appointment, Minister Richmond said, “I’d like to congratulate Patricia on her well-deserved appointment and I look forward to working with her to ensure that the important role of the Health and Safety Authority continues in the coming years. Patricia has extensive leadership experience across the public and private sectors and I know that she has the knowledge and expertise to confidently steer the future direction of the HSA as the world of work that we all face continues to evolve”.
Taking up the role, Patricia Byron said, “I’m delighted to be appointed by Minister Richmond as the new HSA Chairperson. I am conscious that as a public body that operates and regulates across a broad and diverse mandate, the Authority plays a unique role in ensuring the safety of workers, services, consumers and products in the private and public sectors as well as the environment. I look forward to working with Minister Richmond, the Board, CEO and staff of the Authority in ensuring the Authority fulfils its remit on behalf of the workers and consumers of Ireland”.
The announcement coincides with the publication of the HSA’s 2022 Annual Report.
1 Ms Byron was appointed as Chairperson to the Board of the Health and Safety Authority following an open Public Appointments Service (PAS) process.
2 As of 31st December 2022, the Authority received notification of 27 fatalities. This was subsequently revised to 28 fatalities in 2023 on receipt of updated information.