Ten vacancies will arise on the PSI Council on the 16 June 2019. Four of those vacancies are for pharmacist members of the Council.
The PSI Council is the governing body (the board) of the PSI. The 21-member Council is made up a variety of people from different backgrounds. The Pharmacy Act provides that certain members of the Council are elected, others nominated by particular bodies, while others are appointed through the Public Appointments Service. However, each member is appointed by the Minister for Health to act in the interest of patients and the public in the promotion of safe, appropriate pharmacy care and services in Ireland.
The Council is responsible for pursuing the PSI’s mission, vision and values, 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.
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. Scheduled Council meetings for 2019 are available on the PSI website.
How are pharmacist members appointed to the Council?
The 2019 election for the appointment of pharmacist members to PSI Council is being conducted in accordance with the PSI (Council) Rules 2008 and 2015.
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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 2019)
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.
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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 nominations (candidates) is greater than the four vacancies on the Council, then an election will be held on 17 April 2019. The names of successful candidates will be submitted to the Minister for Health. The Minister is responsible for appointing all members to the 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. This is not a requirement but is a useful way of informing the electorate (registered pharmacists) about each person seeking appointment. Accuracy of the biography is the responsibility of the nominee.
- Return the nomination form and biography to the PSI Returning Officer no later than 12 noon on Wednesday, 20 March 2019. Nominations should be sent to PSI Returning Officer, PSI House, Fenian Street, Dublin, D02 TD72.
Key dates to note:
| By 12 noon on Wednesday, 20 March 2019 | 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 17 April. Notice published on PSI website with names/practice address of candidates and proposer and seconder. |
| By Tuesday, 2 April 2019 | 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, 17 April 2019 | Date of election. Completed ballot papers must be returned to the Returning Officer, PSI House, Fenian Street, Dublin 2. |
| Thursday, 18 April 2018 | 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, 20 June 2019 | 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. |
