A new chief executive has been appointed to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). Dr Pamela Byrne will take up the role in March 2015, following the retirement of Prof Alan Reilly.

Byrne, a Cork native, is currently director of regulatory policy and intelligence with Abbott Nutrition. She previously held a number of senior roles within the Department of Agriculture, including working as an environmental toxicologist and as a risk assessor. Byrne holds a PhD in Environmental Toxicology from UCC and an MSc in Aquatic Resource Management from Kings College, University of London.

Prof Michael Gibney, FSAI chairman, said the board “looks forward to working closely with her as chief executive, to deliver an exemplary regulatory environment that is to the fore in protecting public health and consumer interests in the area of food safety and hygiene.”

He also paid tribute to Prof Alan Reilly for the “outstanding leadership” he has shown during his tenure.

Maura Fay