Appointment of 12 members to 7 Registration Boards under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 - 25 July 2023

Following a Public Appointments Service campaign, the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has appointed these members to the following Registration Boards.

Mr Kieran Kenny

Kieran Kenny has extensive experience of working in the public service at a senior level. He has held the position of Chairperson of the Education and Training Teams with CORU since 2018 and has chaired a number of reviews at Master and Bachelor of Arts level. Kieran is currently a member of the Statutory Parole Board and a former Chairperson of Victim Support at Court.

This appointment is from 19 July 2023 until 24 February 2027 and is with the consent of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment.

Dr Caitríona Fisher

Dr Caitriona Fisher worked for many years in health product regulation, holding various positions in scientific regulatory assessments, as quality manager and most recently as Director of Quality, Scientific Affairs and Communications in the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA). She has a strong commitment to the patient voice in healthcare and developed the HPRA’s Patient Forum to ensure a patient-centred approach to regulating health products.

Caitriona qualified as a pharmacist from TCD where she also completed a Ph.D. in community pharmacy practice. In 2010, she was awarded an MBA from Reading University. Caitriona has been a board member of the Irish National Accreditation Board, a member of the EPA’s Health Advisory Committee and a member of the governing body of Technological University Dublin.

This appointment is from 19 July 2023 until 25 June 2025 and is with the consent of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Ms Grace Kivlehan

Having initially graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Anatomy and Cell Biology from the National University of Ireland in Galway, Grace completed her BSc (Hons) in Prosthetics and Orthotics in 2014 from the University of Salford. She started her clinical career as a prosthetist in Musgrave Park Hospital in Belfast and then went on to work as an orthotist in a variety of organisations including not-for-profit, public and private settings. Grace returned to Sligo in 2019 where she worked in the provision of custom moulded seating for wheelchair users prior to taking up the role as Senior Orthotist in Sligo community care, where she is now based.

Grace has been involved in postgraduate study at Griffith University, Dublin and more recently in the Atlantic Technological University in Sligo where has been involved in healthcare research. She is also a long-standing professional representative for the Irish Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists.

This appointment is from 19 July 2023 until 19 May 2026.

Professor Bernard McCartan

Professor Bernard McCartan has extensive previous experience in health professions regulation as chairperson of CORU, president of the Dental Council and chair of the Professional Conduct Committee of the Pharmaceutical Society. He is also lay member of the Judicial Conduct Committee of the Judicial Council.

This appointment is from 19 July 2023 until 23 January 2024 and is with the consent of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Dr Seán O’Leary

Seán O’Leary is Senior Planner with the Irish Planning Institute, the all-island professional membership body for spatial planners, where he leads on policy, research and education. Previously, he has worked in the public sector on climate adaptation and resilience policy and in community, rural and regional development. He holds a BSc Government and Public Policy, Masters in Planning and Sustainable Development and PhD from University College Cork and has lectured part-time in planning, sustainability, and climate policy.

This appointment is from 19 July 2023 until 13 February 2025 and is with the consent of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Ms Eibhlin O’Leary

Ms Eibhlin O’Leary is a Programme Manager and member of the Senior Management Team at the Health and Safety Authority in Ireland. She has over 20 years’ experience in regulation, enforcement and building stakeholder relationships to raise standards and improve safety. Prior to joining the Health and Safety Authority she held senior positions regulating Children’s Services and Food Safety in two leading public agencies in Ireland. Eibhlin holds a BSc, an MSc and a MBS in leadership, organisational change and strategy.

This appointment is from 19 July 2023 until 13 February 2025.

Ms Kathryn Holly

Kathryn Holly has over 20 years' senior management experience in the private health and social care sector in Ireland. She held several senior management positions in the Mater Private Network and her most recent role was as the Group CEO of the Orchard Care Group, a service involved in care provision to vulnerable children and adults.

Kathryn graduated from Trinity College with a BSc in Human Nutrition and has also been awarded an MBA from the Smurfit Business School and the Diploma in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors. She is currently a member of the Dublin Simon Community Board and has previously served as a board member of Pieta House.

This appointment is from 19 July 2023 until 13 February 2025.

Linda Fitzharris

Linda Fitzharris qualified as a pharmacist having studied at the Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI) in Ireland and is registered with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland since 2010. Prior to this, Linda qualified with a degree in Biochemistry from Trinity College Dublin. She also holds a Master’s in Pharmacy from RCSI and a Master’s in Nutrition, Food and Health from University College Dublin. Linda is currently the Head of Pharmacy Function in the HSE Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) which is responsible for making payments to healthcare professionals for the free or reduced costs services they provide to the public. At present, Linda sits on a number of governance committees and expert groups on behalf of the HSE PCRS. Her experience of direct patient care in the community setting during her time as a Community Pharmacist, along with the practical knowledge and skills developed during her career, have provided her with understanding of healthcare in Ireland. Linda has a strong passion for developing others and ensuring policies and procedures are adhered to at all levels.

This appointment is from 12 July 2023 until 7 March 2025.

Daryl Mahon

Daryl Mahon has 15 years working across human services as practitioner, manager, researcher and in academia. Currently he holds the role of Assistant Academic Director of Human & Social Sciences in Dublin Business School. Prior to this, Daryl was employed with a European/Irish non-profit as a researcher implementing evidence-based programmes as part of service reform in health and social care systems. He is an active researcher, and has a range of publications, including academic textbooks and journal articles in the area of human and social sciences.

This appointment is from 12 July 2023 until 10 February 2027.

Maria Barry

Maria is a Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Manager in the HSE and a registered pharmacist. She has over 14 years’ experience working in both the public and private sectors. Prior to the HSE, Maria worked in hospital pharmacy in a large national teaching hospital and subsequently in senior medical business roles in Novartis Ireland. Maria holds a BSc Pharmacy degree from TCD, a Masters in Clinical Pharmacy from Robert Gordon University, an MBA from Smurfit Business School and a Masters in Diversity, Equality and Inclusion from IADT. She is a Board member of the MBA Association of Ireland.

This appointment is from 12 July to 10 February 2027 and is with the consent of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

James Buckley

James (Jim) Buckley is a retired civil servant, having worked in the Department of Social Protection as an Inspector and later as Area Manager (Laois and Offaly). He set up Offaly MABS in 1996, and currently serves as a Board member of South Leinster MABS CLG. He is also chairperson of Tullamore Housing Association CLG who have built 26 housing units for homeless/out of home people in Offaly.

This appointment is from 12 July 2023 to 10 February 2027 and is with the consent of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Colin Reid

Colin is a social worker by professional background and Head of Safeguarding at the Education Authority in Northern Ireland. He was previously Chair of British Association of Social Workers NI and a former non-Executive Director of the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority. He is a professional member of the NI Social Care Council Fitness to Practice Committee. Colin is married and lives in Hillsborough, Co Down.

This appointment is from 12 July 2023 until 20 June 2025 and is with the consent of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.