The new chair of the Board of the Health and Safety Authority is Tom Coughlan, former Chief Executive of Clare County Council (2009-2016) and board member of Shannon Group PLC.

Coughlan started his career in local government with Mayo County Council and was subsequently employed with Galway County Council. He was appointed County Secretary of Clare in 1995, progressing to Assistant County Manager from 1999 to 2001 and Director of Services from 2001 to 2009. He was also Ennis Town Manager from 1999 to 2009.

Three of the HSA Board’s 11 ordinary members (as recently announced by Minister Pat Breen TD) who were recruited via the Public Appointments Service (PAS) in 2014 have been re-appointed for a second three-year term.