Irish woman Lorraine Nolan appointed head of EU's drug agency
She was appointed executive director of the European Union Drugs Agency after receiving a two-thirds majority in a secret ballot, holding off competition from two other candidates.
Since 2016, Ms Nolan has been the chief executive of Ireland's Health Products Regulatory Authority, the agency in charge of regulating medicines, medical devices, and similar products.
She is a former chair of the management board of the European Medicines Agency, and has been lead support to Irish ministers for health in drug policy development.
She holds a PhD in pharmaceutical chemistry from Trinity, and has also worked as a forensic scientist for the Department of Justice.
Ms Nolan will take the role at the beginning of next year.
Based in Lisbon, Portugal, the EU's Drugs Agency aims to support bloc-wide policymaking by providing evidence-based information on drugs, drug addiction, and their consequences.
Last week, for example, it warned that Europe is facing an emerging threat from synthetic drugs — including artificial substances that mimic cannabis, heroin, and stimulants.
Read More
Hiqa CEO apologises at Oireachtas committee for 'failings' over nursing home abuses
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sunday World
3 hours ago
- Sunday World
Indian councillor urges people in Ireland to combat racism after spate of attacks
'I won't be intimidated into silence, that is not the Ireland I believe in.' A Dublin councillor who has received abuse because she is from India has vowed that she won't be intimidated into silence and said the outpouring of support in Ireland for Indian people following recent attacks shows that the vast majority here stand against hate. A recent spate of violent attacks on members of the Indian diaspora in Ireland has caused serious concern in recent weeks and led to the cancellation of India Day celebrations due to take place in the Phoenix Park today. Several members of the Indian community have come forward to tell their stories of violent unprovoked racist attacks, the majority of which have been carried out by teenagers. Donaghmede Councillor Supriya Singh (FG) told the Sunday World that like many others she has received abuse but said Ireland is still a safe, welcoming, open society. 'Like many people who speak out publicly, I have experienced online abuse. But I won't be intimidated into silence. That is not the Ireland I believe in, and not the Dublin I am helping to build.' Michael D Higgins The attacks have received widespread coverage in India and Cllr Singh said she has been contacted by many people there concerned about what is happening here. 'My message to them is clear – Ireland is still one of the most welcoming, safe, and open societies in the world. The recent incidents are deeply troubling and must be addressed, but they do not define this country or its people. The outpouring of solidarity from Irish neighbours, colleagues, and leaders shows that the overwhelming majority stand firmly against hate.' Cllr Singh said would be concerned if members of the Indian community felt compelled to leave due to the recent incident because Ireland has been their home and continues to be a place of opportunity and friendship. 'These incidents don't reflect the Ireland most of us know and experience every day. The actions of a few should not overshadow the values of the many Irish people.' Cllr Singh said the Indian community is making a remarkable contribution across every aspect of Irish life. 'From hospitals where thousands of Indian doctors, nurses and carers work tirelessly, to tech companies, universities, and research centres driving innovation, to small businesses creating jobs. This is not just about economics-it's about culture, friendship, and solidarity. Ireland has welcomed the Indian community, and in return the community is helping Ireland thrive.' There has been widespread condemnation of the attacks with President Michael D Higgins. On Monday the Ireland India Council announced it would not go ahead with a planned India Day festival that was due to take place at Farmleigh in the Phoenix Park today. The Indian Embassy hosted India Day celebrations marking the 79th year of India's independence at India House in Dublin on Friday. The attacks have received widespread coverage in India and on Thursday India's External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said they raised the issue with Irish authorities. 'There have been several cases of violence against Indian nationals in Ireland. We have strongly taken up this matter with the Irish authorities in Dublin as well as with the embassy here.' Councillor Supriya Singh Today's News in 90 Seconds - August 20th
Irish Examiner
3 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
'Over the top' police precautions as protestors gather to support Kneecap's Liam Óg
A feeling that British authorities are policing pro-Palestine protests more strictly than others had been fomenting amongst some Irish in London before Wednesday's protest in support of Kneecap. Hundreds gathered to support Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara with rap trio Kneecap, as he entered Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on terrorism charges. Prosecutors allege the 27-year-old displayed a flag in support of proscribed terror organisation Hezbollah at a gig in London. His case was adjourned until September 26. The Metropolitan Police imposed restrictions on where the demonstration outside the court could take place to 'prevent serious disruption'. Kneecap criticised the police restrictions as a 'calculated political decision' that was 'designed to try and portray support for Kneecap as somehow troublesome'. Filmmaker Sonya O'Donoghue, originally from Clare but living in London, said restrictions on Kneecap's supporters seemed particularly restrictive. The police had cordoned off an area for people supporting Kneecap to protest today at his court appearance. And it felt a bit over the top, as if it was going to be very aggressive. 'But from what I've seen there was a lot of singing, it was very pro-Palestinian freedom, there were a lot of Irish flags, but I haven't seen aggression." Ms O'Donoghue commended the bravery of people such as Kneecap in speaking out against the war in Gaza. 'They're articulate young men and they have a lot to lose by speaking out. They've had gigs cancelled, they're being targeted, but they're putting their neck out.' Ms O'Donoghue attends the monthly protests in London for Palestine. The British government's proscribing of protest group Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation in June, with the same status as ISIS or al-Quaeda, has shocked not just regular protestors, but many across Britain, she said. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper made the announcement after Palestine Action activists broke into a Royal Air Force base in Oxfordshire, spraying planes with red paint and damaging them with crowbars, allegedly causing some £7m in damage. Hundreds of people have been arrested since for showing support for the group. Author Sally Rooney has recently pledged to support Palestine Action. The Mayo-born author of novels including Normal People wrote in the Irish Times that she now intends to use proceeds from her work to support Palestine Action. One of the 532 people arrested at a Palestine rally in London this month was arrested for wearing a t-shirt saying 'Plasticine Action' with a similar logo to the 'Palestine Action' group's. Engineer Miles Pickering told The Guardian that it was designed to be an easy mistake to make, appearing to look like the logo of Palestine Action. But text underneath the logo reads: 'We oppose AI-generated animation". Inside the letter 'o' was an image of the stop-motion character Morph giving two thumbs up. Sales of the t-shirt have rocketed since. Mr Pickering added: It's like we are just going to mock you for your ridiculous decision to proscribe a protest group. It's just so important that our rights to protest do not get diminished. The mass arrests at the August protest in London has prompted a sea change in public opinion across Britain, Ms O'Donoghue said. 'That was incredibly over-the-top. So many people arrested for peaceful protest. I think the mass arrests have touched everybody. 'There's a feeling that police are being extra-tough on any pro-Palestinian protests here. It feels very autocratic." Carla McGlynn, an Irish actor living in London, said that she would have been at today's protest in support of Mo Chara but she is currently home in Ireland. UK authorities have been 'really restrictive' in where people can protest for Palestine, Ms McGlynn said. 'Police really monitor any groups with signs or wearing Keffiyehs [Palestinian scarves]. 'I know someone whose friend was arrested. She was kept overnight but was then released without charge. 'All of this is making people more determined to have their voices heard, more determined not to be silenced.'
Irish Examiner
4 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Cormac O'Keeffe: Tension mounts in Ireland's real-life spy drama
It has all the ingredients of Netflix spy drama, but the 'Agent Cobalt' story concerns real investigations, real threats, and real people. Trying to figure out what actually happened, weighing up differing accounts and perspectives, and trying to present a clear and accurate picture is quite a challenge. Interested observers would be advised to bear that in mind. It is also worth stressing there are few areas where gathering and analysing information is more difficult than in the shadowy and secretive world of national security and intelligence. This is particularly so in Ireland, with its long, and embedded, culture of secrecy. Cobalt Revealed Back in October, The Sunday Times ran a dramatic front-page headline: 'Revealed: Putin has an agent in the Oireachtas'. The story, by their experienced security correspondent John Mooney, sent shockwaves through the Oireachtas and dominated the airwaves for some time. The report said: 'The Irish military and security services have identified a politician in the Oireachtas who has been recruited by Russian intelligence as an agent of influence and whose clandestine connections to Moscow remain intact.' The story, and related articles, described the politician as a person who could influence policy and political narratives, using his own networks and outlets. The most serious of allegations against the politician related to him allegedly offering services, such as making introductions, including, it was reported, to loyalist paramilitaries. The Sunday Times detailed how Garda security and intelligence and military intelligence both came across the politician during counter-intelligence surveillance they were conducting on suspected Russian intelligence officers in Ireland, including the military attache to the Russian Embassy — Sergey Prokopiev. It is also thought British intelligence were aware. The Sunday Times had details on travels the politician took and of alleged meetings with Russian agents, in Ireland and abroad. Most of the meetings and contacts appear to relate to the period 2019 and 2020, but the Garda and Military monitoring continued. After the stories, there was intense speculation as to who was 'Agent Cobalt' and there was widespread commentary on social media. Government leaders, including the Taoiseach and the Justice Minister were briefed about the politician, who has never commented. No Agent Cobalt Last Tuesday The Journal ran a story, headlined: 'There is no Agent Cobalt'. It added: 'Garda investigation clears Irish politician of being a Russian Agent.' The story, by Niall O'Connor, an experienced security journalist and former garda, said the investigation had 'exonerated' the politician. It said: 'The politician has been sent confirmation from the detectives investigating the case that nothing has been found to suggest that he ever spied for Russia or worked with Russian agents.' The report said sources spoken to said that, while Russian agents tried to approach the politician, 'nothing came of it'. The story said the first approach was in Eastern Europe when the politician was on a work trip and that his drink was spiked by a female agent. It said the politician contacted gardaí on his return about the incident. The second approach was by a purported 'trade attaché' at the Russian Embassy, apparently a reference to Prokopiev. The Journal referred to a meeting between detectives from the Special Detective Unit and the politician, accompanied by his legal representatives — held after the October Sunday Times articles. It said detectives told the politician that 'nothing untoward had been found' to suggest he had given information to Russia. The article said it was understood that the politician was 'sent confirmation of this in writing'. Garda HQ Intervenes On publication of the story, media sought a comment from the Garda Press Office. In the meantime, inquiries by the Irish Examiner among security sources found that they were adamant that no such letter was issued and that no statements would be given to a suspect that they were in the clear or that the case was closed. Later, Garda HQ issued a statement, stating the investigation was not finished. It said: 'An Garda Síochána is continuing an ongoing active criminal investigation into this matter. An Garda Síochána has no further comment.' The Irish Examiner understands that the message sent out was coming from the very top layers of the organisation. Next episode The Garda statement, and inquiries conducted by the Irish Examiner, indicate that all sides in this case are absolutely certain of their positions and the integrity of their work. It is expected that The Sunday Times will publish more details this weekend and that The Journal may too, either before or after, with additional information to support their respective accounts. It seems clear that this matter could gather momentum. The issue of the existence of a 'document' or 'letter' may come more to the fore, sparking pressures for publication. Then there is the meeting in question and the position of the multiple witnesses at that. Is it possible that it is all down to a misinterpretation or misrepresentation of what was said? If the politician and/or his legal representatives decide to speak, it may well become a political issue, even with the Oireachtas on holidays. That might put pressure on Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan and Taoiseach Micheál Martin to comment. That is unlikely to be something the outgoing commissioner — departing at the end of next week — or the new commissioner — staring on 1 September — would want. Expect more twists and turns.
