I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach, members of the joint committee and the committee secretariat. It is a pleasure to be here in conjunction with Ms Geraldine Larkin, CEO of the NSAI, and Mr. Frank Collins, who is director of strategy and corporate services. I thank the committee for its invitation to attend this meeting.
I am honoured by this opportunity. In the brief period since receiving the nomination to serve as chairperson of the NSAI, I have taken steps to engage with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment as well as NSAI management in respect of the expectations not only of the chairperson but of the authority itself. Furthermore, the authority is guided by the statutory functions that have been allocated to it. I will take this opportunity to commend the work of the outgoing chairperson, Mr. James Kennedy, and the board members on not only the stewardship of the organisation but also oversight of the execution of the initiatives described in its current strategic plan. Seeking to close out important work yet to be completed in the final year of the new strategic plan, and considering what priorities need to be carried forward into the new strategy period, is a key consideration and something I will be engaging on further with both the board and NSAI management once my chairmanship has been ratified.
The NSAI occupies a unique and important position within Ireland’s economic and public infrastructure, with responsibilities that extend across standards development, certification, metrology and market oversight. While much of its work takes place behind the scenes, the organisation plays a significant role in supporting the functioning of modern industry, society and the competitiveness of the Irish economy. Its activities help provide assurance, consistency and confidence across a wide range of sectors, ensuring that products, services and systems operate safely, reliably and in line with expectations and standards. In doing so, the NSAI supports not only enterprise and industry, but also consumers, public bodies and communities throughout Ireland.
The organisation’s remit reflects the increasingly interconnected nature of trade, technology and regulation in a global economy. Through the development and promotion of standards, the NSAI helps Irish businesses access international markets, improve operational performance and align with evolving regulatory frameworks. At the same time, its work contributes to broader public policy objectives in areas such as sustainability, innovation, digitalisation, climate transition and infrastructure development. The organisation also plays an important convening role by bringing together industry, government, academia and technical experts to support consensus building and knowledge sharing on emerging challenges and opportunities.
The NSAI’s influence extends well beyond Ireland through active participation in European and international standardisation systems and collaboration with counterpart organisations across multiple jurisdictions. This engagement ensures that Irish industry and interests directly shape the development of European and international standards across many rapidly evolving sectors and technologies. It also supports the international reputation of Irish enterprise by reinforcing confidence in the quality, safety and reliability of Irish products and services abroad.
As technological, economic and geopolitical change continues to accelerate, the importance of trusted standards and metrology, technical expertise and quality infrastructure is becoming increasingly evident. Against this backdrop, the NSAI’s work has become ever more relevant to supporting resilience, competitiveness and public trust, providing a strong foundation for the organisation’s ongoing strategic development and the next phase of its growth and impact.
The current NSAI Strategic Plan 2022-2026 has provided a strong and ambitious foundation centred on innovation, growth, sustainability and public trust. I am joining the organisation at a particularly important point in its development as work has already commenced on the preparation of the next strategic plan for 2027 to 2031. While this process is under way, there remains significant opportunity for the board and executive leadership to shape a strategy that builds on the considerable achievements of the current plan while responding to the rapidly evolving challenges facing Ireland and Europe, including geopolitical uncertainty, changing markets, EU regulatory developments, cybersecurity risks and the growing influence of artificial intelligence. Throughout 2025, the NSAI continued to demonstrate the broad impact of its strategic direction through work that supports Irish enterprise, consumers, innovation and the wider economy. Guided by the theme of innovating to shape a safer, better, and sustainable future, the organisation advanced a wide range of initiatives across areas such as sustainability, digital transformation, construction innovation, and emerging technologies, while continuing to strengthen Ireland’s standards and quality infrastructure.
The NSAI’s work during this period reflected both its national and international importance. Across multiple sectors, the organisation supported businesses in improving quality, competitiveness and readiness for evolving regulatory and market requirements, while also contributing to consumer confidence and public trust. It continued to work closely with industry, government and stakeholders to encourage innovation, support best practice and help organisations adapt to changing economic and technological conditions.
At an international level, the NSAI further strengthened Ireland’s engagement within European and global standardisation networks through active participation in collaborative initiatives, strategic partnerships and standards development activities. The organisation also continued to expand stakeholder engagement and public participation in standards development, reflecting a growing awareness of the importance of standards, certification and quality assurance in supporting economic growth, sustainability and technological progress. As the NSAI now enters the final year of delivery under the current strategic plan, the development of the 2027 to 2031 strategy is being undertaken through a structured, evidence-based process that will assess lessons learned, emerging national and EU policy priorities, and future risks and opportunities across standardisation, certification, metrology and regulatory services. This provides a valuable opportunity to ensure that the next phase of the NSAI’s strategic development remains ambitious, outward-looking and responsive to the evolving needs of Irish society and the economy.
The NSAI plays a central role within the technical and quality infrastructure that underpins Ireland’s economy, enterprise base and international competitiveness. At a time when standards, certification, innovation and regulatory assurance are becoming increasingly important to trade, sustainability and technological advancement, the organisation’s work has never been more significant. If my nomination is confirmed, I would be proud to contribute to that mission and to support the NSAI in continuing to shape a safer, more innovative and globally competitive Ireland. My approach to the position of chair will be one of consultation and working with the board, the Minister, the Department and our primary stakeholders, including other Departments and agencies. I look forward to working closely with the chief executive officer and the rest of the NSAI management team. Together, we will strive to ensure the NSAI delivers in line with its strategy, the requirements of legislation and national objectives, within the context of a sound governance framework. I look forward to the opportunity to interact with members.
