Press release
Minister Ryan appoints Dr Tanya Harrington as a Commissioner to the CRU
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, has announced the appointment of Dr Tanya Harrington as a Commissioner to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), following an open competition run by the Public Appointments Service (PAS).
As Commissioner, she will, along with her fellow Commissioners, have responsibility for the economic regulation of energy (electricity and gas) and water, energy safety and customer protection in the further development of the EU’s internal energy market and the transition to a net zero carbon economy.
She will also be a Member of the Single Electricity Market Committee, which jointly oversees the all-island Single Electricity Market, along with the Utility Regulator in Northern Ireland and an independent Member and will participate in relevant international and EU organisations.
Welcoming her appointment, Minister Ryan said:
"Dr Tanya Harrington brings her years of experience and expertise, in the areas of regulation, public policy, regulatory governance, regulatory compliance and risk management from her previous roles. The energy and water sectors are facing into challenging times ahead and the CRU organisation will require strong leadership to stay abreast of major developments, to ensure an appropriate regulatory response to these challenges and opportunities, and to proactively engage with the sector and consumers. Dr Harrington will bring strong strategic, corporate governance and organisational leadership experience to her role as Commissioner. This appointment will further strengthen the leadership of the organisation, at this vital time."
She will take up her post in September 2024.
The Minister has also reappointed Mr Jim Gannon as CRU Commissioner and Chairperson for a further term from September 2024.
ENDS
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is Ireland’s independent energy and water regulator. The CRU was established in 1999 and operates within a policy and statutory framework set by Government and has responsibility for economic regulation and customer protection in the energy and water sectors and regulation of energy safety.
Their work impacts Irish homes and businesses ensuring safe, secure and sustainable energy and water supplies for all customers.
For more information, see the CRU website.
Dr Tanya Harrington is currently Chief Regulatory Affairs Officer at An Post, where she is responsible for economic regulatory risk management and compliance. She also leads the company’s strategic response to the ever changing regulatory environment and has made an important contribution to the company on its transformation journey as the State-designated Universal Service Provider. She has also led multiple engagements with government and regulatory authorities at international, EU and domestic levels. This includes accountability for areas such as regulatory risk management and compliance, customs regulations, corporate governance and Shareholder engagement.
Prior to her time at An Post, Dr Harrington held leadership positions across the public and private sectors: at Powerscourt, advising a range of Ireland’s largest companies on matters of public policy, government affairs and economic regulation across a range of regulated sectors; at the NTR Foundation she delivered on the Foundation’s mandate to address the challenges posed by climate change, resource sustainability and security of energy supply. She also served as a Ministerial Advisor at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the Department of Transport. She is a former Head of Energy at IBEC.
Dr Harrington is currently Chairperson of Renewable Energy Ireland.
She holds a Doctorate in Governance from Queen's University Belfast (QUB), an MSSc in European Integration from QUB, and BA in History and German from University College Dublin (UCD).