Minister McConalogue announces appointment of Mr Michael Finn and Mr Jonathan Hoare as Authority Members of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA)

The Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, has announced the appointment of Mr Michael Finn and Mr Jonathan Hoare as Executive Members of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). The appointments follow the recent Public Appointments Service (PAS) competitive recruitment process. The Executive Members, working with SFPA Executive Chairperson Paschal Hayes will lead the SFPA over the coming years through an ambitious programme of organisational change to deliver efficient and effective enforcement of sea fisheries and food safety law; promoting compliance while detecting and deterring contraventions.

Michael Finn has most recently worked as an Assistant Commissioner for the Garda Síochana. In this role he was responsible for policing and security of the Southern Region. His previous responsibilities included being part of the Garda Senior Leadership Team, contributing to the overall organisational strategy, policing plans and the delivery of policing and security outcomes.

Jonathan Hoare has most recently worked as a Programme Manager with responsibility for coordinating and managing the implementation of the South West Regional Enterprise Plan. He previously held the position of Director of Communications and Public Affairs for the Irish Local Development Network. Mr Hoare has also held various public service roles including his work with the houses of the Oireachtas and a period as Advisor to a previous Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Announcing the appointments, the Minister stated:

“I am pleased to appoint both Michael Finn and Jonathan Hoare as the new Executive Authority Members of the SFPA. I am confident that they will meet the challenges posed in leading the SFPA organisation through a period of significant change while achieving the exacting standards of public sector leadership. This is a complex and evolving regulatory sector promoting a sustainable and compliant industry that supports coastal communities dependant on fishing and helps to secure our fish stocks for future generations of fishers."

Both appointees took up their posts on 3 October 2022.

Notes

The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority was established on 1 January 2007. The SFPA is independent in the exercise of its functions which are set out below.

The principal functions of the Authority are to:

secure efficient and effective enforcement of sea-fisheries law and food safety law
promote compliance with & deter contraventions of sea-fisheries law and food safety law
detect contraventions of sea-fisheries law and food safety law
provide information to the sea-fisheries and seafood sectors on sea-fisheries law and food safety law and relevant matters within the remit of the Authority, through the Consultative Committee established under section 48 of the above Act or by any other means it considers appropriate
advise the Minister in relation to policy on effective implementation of sea-fisheries law and food safety law
provide assistance and information to the Minister in relation to the remit of the Authority
collect and report data in relation to sea-fisheries and food safety as required by the Minister and under Community law
represent or assist in the representation of the State at national, Community and international fora as requested by the Minister
engage in any other activities relating to the functions of the Authority as may be approved of by the Minister

Minister McConalogue announces appointment of Mr Michael Finn and Mr Jonathan Hoare as Authority Members of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA)

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