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HSE National Committee for the Governance, Management and Support of Research

The HSE National Committee for the Governance, Management and Support of Research was established in May 2022 to oversee the implementation of the HSE National Framework for the Governance, Management and Support of Health Research (RGMS Framework). Research activity is significant in the HSE and funded HSE Services, but the level of oversight and governance of this activity at both local and national level is poor; and the organisational infrastructure to sustain it is under-developed. The HSE Action Plan for Health Research 2019-2029 is a pragmatic roadmap to address existing problems and contribute to the embedding of a culture of research, evidence-based practice and innovation in the health service so that research becomes a critical enabler of health service delivery. One of the key outputs of this plan is the HSE National Framework for the Governance, Management and Support of Research (RGMS Framework), which was launched in September 2021. The framework sets up the requirements for the development of appropriate organisational governance for research to enable compliance with ethical, legal and regulatory requirements while supporting our staff and placing the service users, patients, their families and carers at the centre of the research activity. The implementation of the RGMS Framework will require a nationally integrated approach to the establishment of RGMS functions at local level, the reform of the Research Ethics Committee (REC) system and the roll out of an electronic information management system as well as the development of research related policies, standardised codes of practice, guidance and resources for staff.

Key Roles

    1. Oversee the implementation of the RGMS Framework to ensure national cohesiveness for health research governance
    2. Provide advice and support to National HSE R&D with regards to the newly developed research governance structures and ethics committees that are currently being set up to implement the framework.
    3. Formal appointing authority for the new HSE Reference RECs
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Objectives

    1. Support and oversee the implementation of the HSE Strategic Action Plan for Research 2019-29 and the HSE National Framework for the Governance, Management and support of research
    2. Evaluate progress on the implementation of the National RGMS Framework in the HSE regions and provide recommendations and guidance – supports National Research and Development in their performance and assurance functions with regards to the regions.
    3. To act at champions for research at senior management level ensuring that research considerations are embedded in decisions related to HR, IT, Finance and so forth within the organisation.
    4. To provide subject matter expertise to HSE National R&D and provide steering guidance.
    5. To be familiar with the outputs of the working groups led by HSE National R&D to provide steering guidance.
    6. Formally confer status of HSE Reference REC to newly set up committees and formally endorse the nomination of the RREC Chair(s).
    7. To support Public and Patient Involvement in Research
    8. The Committee may establish sub-committees or working groups to carry out specified tasks. Membership of sub-committees may include individuals who are members of the main committee plus additional representation, not members of the main Committee, subject to approval, provided they bring relevant expertise or stakeholder representation. Such sub-committees may include, but are not limited to:
      • Responsible Conduct of Research Policy
      • National Electronic Research Management System Implementation
      • Priority Setting
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Terms of Reference

The Updated Terms of Reference for the HSE National Committee for the Governance, Management and Support of Research were updated in November 2025 and available to read here. 

Membership

1. National Doctors Training and Planning– Interim Chair Anthony O’Regan
2. HSE Head of HSE Research & Evidence Ana Terrés
3. HSE National Finance representative Mairead Dolan
4. HSE National HR representative Louise Doyle
5. HSE Data Protection Officer representative Mary Deasey
6. HSE Data Governance representative Orla Treacy
7. Chief Academic Officers Group representative Helen Whelton
8. Patient representative Robert Joyce
9. Patient representative Ruth Fitzmaurice
10. Chair of National Clinical Trials Coordination Office Robert O’Connor
11. Research Ethics Committees Rosalie Smyth Lynch
12. HSE Integrated Information Service (OCIO) Tom Laffan
13. Researcher representative Amy O’Higgins
14. Researcher representative Fionnuala Ni Ainle
15. HSE Research & Development Maria Quinlan
16. Voluntary Agencies (Section 38) Tanya King
17. Department of Health John O’Neill
18. HSE Quality and Patient Safety Intelligence Louise Hendrick
19. HSE Access & Integration Ciaran Browne
20. HSE Patient & Service User Experience Office Iolo Eilian
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