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Call For Nominations: Election For Appointment to PSI Council

February 24, 2021

For the purposes of Section 10(3)(f) of the Pharmacy Act 2007 and in accordance with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (Council) Rules 2008 and 2015:

The PSI Registrar, Niall Byrne, in his capacity as Returning Officer, invites nominations from pharmacists on the PSI Register of Pharmacists, who may wish to stand for election for appointment to the PSI Council in 2021. Nominations must be submitted to the PSI Returning Officer no later than 12 noon on Wednesday, 24 March 2021.

Below you will find information about:

  • the statutory role of the Council, its responsibilities, and the commitment and requirements of Council members,
  • eligibility for nomination, and the process of appointment to the Council,
  • details about completing and submitting a nomination form for appointment in 2021, and
  • key dates and other useful information.

PSI Council and vacancies 2021

Five vacancies will arise for pharmacist members on the PSI Council on the 20 June 2021.

The PSI Council is the governing body (the board) of the PSI, and comprises of 21-members. The Pharmacy Act provides that some members of the Council are elected by registered members of the pharmacy profession in Ireland, others are nominated by specified bodies such as the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), whilst others are selected on application through the Public Appointments Service. Irrespective the route of entry, each Council member is appointed by the Minister for Health to act in the interest of patients and the public in the promotion of safe pharmacy practice in Ireland.

The Council is responsible for upholding the PSI’s mission, vision and values, and for ensuring the delivery of the functions of the PSI as the pharmacy regulator, and for developing and overseeing the PSI’s Corporate Strategy in the public interest.

How are pharmacist members appointed to the Council?

The 2021 election for the appointment of pharmacist members to PSI Council is being conducted in accordance with the PSI (Council) Rules 2008 and 2015.

Want to know more about the role of the Council and its members?

This information booklet outlines the statutory role of the Council, its responsibilities, and the commitment and requirements of Council members.

  • Eligibility for election for appointment to the Council of the PSI

Rule 7(2) of the Council Rules provides that:
“In order to be eligible to stand for election for appointment to the Council, a member of the Society shall –
a) hold a certificate of registration as a pharmacist (i.e. be in the Register of Pharmacists kept by the PSI and have paid registration fee for 2021)
b) have been proposed and seconded in writing by members of the Society who hold certificates of registration as a pharmacist,
c) submit, on a form available from the returning officer, a nomination paper that relates only to the person proposing to stand for election, specifying his or her name, address and registration number and signed by him or her,
d) provide declarations that –
i. having regard to paragraphs (2)* and (8)** of Schedule 1 to the Act, he or she is eligible to stand for election for appointment to the Council,
ii. in the event of not being elected, he or she is aware that his or her name may be placed on a panel with a view to selection in the manner provided for under Rules 9(2) and 9(3) and Part 3 for the filling of any vacancies or casual vacancies as may arise on the Council, and
iii. in the event of being elected and appointed to the Council, he or she will, to the best of his or her abilities, serve on the Council and abide by any code of conduct for members of the Council as may be adopted by the Council from time to time.”

* Disqualification from office includes being adjudicated bankrupt; making a composition or arrangement with creditors; conviction of any indictable offence; conviction of an offence involving fraud or dishonesty; being the subject of an order under sections 838, 842 and 850 of the Companies Act 2014, or being sentenced to a term of imprisonment.

** Membership of either House of the Oireachtas or European Parliament by a Member of the Council (or employee) of the PSI disqualifies Council membership.

What happens after the nominations process is complete?

In accordance with Section 10(3)(f) of the Pharmacy Act 2007, pharmacist appointments to the Council are made following selection by those on the PSI Register of pharmacists. If the number of candidates nominated, is greater than the five vacancies on the Council, then an election will be held on the 21st of April 2021. Following the election, the names of successful candidates will be submitted to the Minister for Health to appoint, as members of Council, for a four-year term of office.

How do I submit a nomination?

  • If you are interested in seeking appointment as a pharmacist member to the PSI Council, please ensure you:
  • Consider your eligibility against the criteria above.
  • Read the information booklet about the role, responsibilities and time commitments required of Council members.
  • Complete a nomination form, including the required details for your proposer and seconder.
  • Submit a brief biography so that it may be made available on the PSI website if an election is required. This is not a requirement but is a useful way of informing the electorate (registered pharmacists) about each person seeking appointment.
  • Return the nomination form and biography to the PSI Returning Officer no later than 12 noon on Wednesday, 24 March 2021.
  • Nominations should be sent to PSI Returning Officer, PSI House, Fenian Street, Dublin, D02 TD72.

Key dates to note:

By 12 noon on Wednesday, 24 March 2021 Last date for receipt of nominations for pharmacists wishing to stand for election. Establishment of electoral register by the Returning Officer for an election on 21 April 2021. Notice published on PSI website with names/practice address of candidates and proposer and seconder.
By Thursday, 8 April 2021 Returning Officer sends ballot papers with voting instructions by post to the electoral register (registered pharmacists) at their address as it appears in the Register of Pharmacists.
By 5pm on Wednesday, 21 April 2021 Date of election. Completed ballot papers must be returned to the Returning Officer.
Friday, 23 April 2021 Counting of votes. The counting of votes must take place within 2 days of the election. At the conclusion of the count, the Returning Officer will declare the results and give notice in writing to the Minister for Health of the names of those elected. The election results, including details of the poll and count, will be published on the PSI website.
Thursday, 24 June 2021 Scheduled PSI Council meeting. Dependent on appointments made by the Minister for Health, this is the date of the first meeting for new Council members.

Further information

  • The vacancies arising for pharmacist members are those currently held by Council members; Ms. Nicola Cantwell MPSI, Mr. Michael Lyons MPSI, Ms. Veronica Treacy MPSI, Mr. Sean Reilly MPSI, Ms. Marie Louisa Power MPSI. Their term of office on Council ends on the 20 June 2021.
  • In addition, to the information booklet about the PSI Council, www.stateboards.ie (the Public Appointments Service) provides a useful overview of the role of board members along with a self-assessment questionnaire that assists in determining how a person’s interests, skills and experience might match the requirements of membership of a state board.
  • For additional information on the roles and functions of the PSI Council see About PSI and other relevant sections of the website, consider the PSI’s Corporate Governance Framework. 
  • For candidates standing for election to Council, the following guidelines on electioneering apply:
  1. Candidates are encouraged to conduct their electioneering in such a way so as to promote interest in the election.
  2. Candidates, and anyone acting on their behalf, should refrain from any canvassing that may be interpreted as bringing into disrepute the profession of pharmacy or the Council of the PSI.


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