Cotter has served as deputy director general of the EPA since May 2025.
Picture: UCD
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Dr Eimear Cotter has been appointed director general of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) following Government approval on Tuesday 10 February.
Dr Cotter will take up the post with effect from 8 March 2026 for a seven-year term, succeeding the outgoing director general, Laura Burke, who held the position since 2011.
Having been a director in the EPA since 2017, Cotter has served as deputy director general since May 2025.
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The Carlow-native holds a BA (Mod) in chemistry from Trinity College Dublin, a PhD in atmospheric chemistry from Oxford University and an MBA from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.
She is also a board member at the Institute of Art, Design and Technology and a 2019 Eisenhower Fellow.
Announcing the appointment, Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien said that Cotter has a proven track record as a public servant committed to the protection of our environment.
"She will bring a broad range of experience to the executive board of the agency. I am confident that Dr Cotter will make a valuable contribution to the work of the Agency and in addressing the many challenges ahead," the Minister said.
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Dr Eimear Cotter has been appointed director general of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) following Government approval on Tuesday 10 February.
Dr Cotter will take up the post with effect from 8 March 2026 for a seven-year term, succeeding the outgoing director general, Laura Burke, who held the position since 2011.
Having been a director in the EPA since 2017, Cotter has served as deputy director general since May 2025.
The Carlow-native holds a BA (Mod) in chemistry from Trinity College Dublin, a PhD in atmospheric chemistry from Oxford University and an MBA from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.
She is also a board member at the Institute of Art, Design and Technology and a 2019 Eisenhower Fellow.
Announcing the appointment, Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien said that Cotter has a proven track record as a public servant committed to the protection of our environment.
"She will bring a broad range of experience to the executive board of the agency. I am confident that Dr Cotter will make a valuable contribution to the work of the Agency and in addressing the many challenges ahead," the Minister said.
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