The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) welcomes the announcement by the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, of Martin O’Halloran as HIQA’s new Board Chairperson.

Martin O’Halloran has been a member of HIQA’s Board since 2021. Mr. O’Halloran succeeds Professor Pat O’Mahony, who served as Chairperson of HIQA’s Board between 2018 and 2025, and sadly passed away in August. 

Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, TD said: 

“I am pleased to announce my intention to appoint Martin O’Halloran as Chairperson of the Board of HIQA. Martin’s appointment follows the sad passing of Professor Pat O’Mahony in August.

Martin was first appointed to the board of HIQA in 2021 and brings a wealth of experience from previous positions as Chief Executive of the Health and Safety Authority, Chairman of the Institute for Public Administration, and Chairman of the Association of Chief Executives of State Agencies, amongst others. Martin will help provide leadership and ensure continuity and stability for the Board during this extremely busy period for HIQA. 

I extend my thanks to Martin and all the Board members for their ongoing commitment to the work of HIQA during what has been a difficult time for them all."

On his appointment, HIQA Board Chairperson, Martin O’Halloran said:

“I am pleased to be appointed as Chairperson of HIQA’s Board. I look forward to working with our stakeholders to enable the best possible health and social care outcomes for all, through evidence-informed decision-making, standard setting and regulation as HIQA works to implement its Corporate Plan 2025-2027.

I would like to acknowledge the work my predecessor, Professor Pat O’Mahony. His outstanding leadership brought the organisation through momentous change, as HIQA expanded considerably and took on new functions. His loss is felt right across our organisation.”  

ENDS

Further Information: 
Marty Whelan, Head of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement, Health Information and Quality Authority, 085 805 5202, mwhelan@hiqa.ie

About Martin O’Halloran:

Martin O’Halloran was chief executive of the Health and Safety Authority for 11 years until his retirement in 2018. He worked in the Telecommunication industry in Ireland and the UK for more than 20 years. 

He is an experienced director, having served as chairman of the Board of the Institute for Public Administration for four years and chairman of the Association of Chief Executives for three years. 

He has served on a number of other boards in the private sector, as well as European committees in occupational safety and health.

He is a Chartered Director, Chartered Fellow of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health and an executive coach. He is also a member of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) and the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal (LPDT) and a member of the national Patient Safety Council. 

Martin holds degrees from Universities of London, Trinity College Dublin, University of Surrey and University of Strathclyde.