THE Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, has today appointed Dr Pamela Byrne as interim Chair to the Board of Horse Sport Ireland (HSI).

Minister Heydon stated that: “I wish to thank the outgoing Chair, Michael Dowling, for his time, expertise and commitment in overseeing and guiding HSI over the last number of years in its important work within the sport horse industry.” Dowling was re-appointed as the chair of the board for a second term in September 2024.

The Minister has agreed, in consultation with Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue TD, on the appointment of Dr Pamela Byrne as interim chair of HSI.

Minister Heydon noted that: “I am sincerely grateful to Dr Byrne, who is a current board member of HSI for accepting this position and I am confident that her experience will guide and lead HSI for the benefit of the Sport Horse sector in Ireland.”

Dr Byrne was appointed to the Board in October 2024. She was the Chief Executive Officer of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) from March 2015 to March 2025.

The Constitution for HSI provides that the Board includes nine Directors as follows: four members including the Chair appointed by the Minister for Agriculture in consultation with the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport; one Northern Ireland representative which is currently vacant following Paul Brolly’s resignation, and four industry representatives from the advisory councils – one of which (High Performance) remains vacant. The board now consists of just six members.