Dr Pamela Byrne holds a PhD in Environmental Toxicology from University College, Cork (UCC); an MSc in Aquatic Resource Management from Kings College, University of London; a BSc in Zoology from UCC and a Higher Diploma in Environmental Law from the University of Aberystwyth in Wales. She is an Adjunct Professor at the Institute of Food and Health in University College, Dublin. She also holds an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from Harvard Kennedy School of Executive Education and a certificate in Public Policy Analysis from the London School of Economics. 

Dr Byrne was appointed Chief Executive of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland in March 2015. Prior to this, she held the role of Director of Regulatory Policy and Intelligence with Abbott Nutrition. Having previously held senior positions in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, she has extensive experience of the food regulatory environment, as well as expertise in risk assessment and food safety management at both national and international levels.

During her time at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Dr Byrne gained a deep knowledge of the food sector as an environmental toxicologist and risk assessor and was instrumental in developing Ireland’s research and innovation policy programmes in relation to food and the bioeconomy. Dr Byrne also worked in the Cabinet of the European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation - Commissioner Maire Geoghegan-Quinn.

Dr Byrne is currently Board Chair of the Irish Management Institute; Vice Chair of the Management Board of the European Food Safety Authority and the Chair of the Governing Committee of the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre (APC) in University College Cork. She is a founding member of the International Heads of Food Safety Agencies and a member of the European Heads of Food Safety Agencies. She has also been the Chair of the Strategic Advisory Board of the Institute of Food and Health at University College Dublin and the Management Board of the European Joint Research Programming Initiative “A Healthy Diet for a Healthy Life.” Until recently she was Chair of the Association of Chief Executives of State Agencies (ACESA).

Office of the CEO

See the FSAI Organisation Chart.

The Chief Executive is responsible for the overall strategic management of the FSAI and is the direct link to the FSAI Board. The communications unit is part of the office of the CEO and it develops and implements policies and strategies in communications and public relations.

Communications Manager – Ms Jane Ryder