Health Research Board Explained

The Health Research Board (HRB) is a government agency responsible for funding, co-ordination, and oversight of medical research in Ireland.

History

In 1986, the Government of Ireland amalgamated the Medical Research Council of Ireland and the Medico-Social Research Board to establish the HRB under the Health (Corporate Bodies) Act 1961 and statutory instrument 279 of 1986.^[1] The HRB's original headquarters was at 73 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2. In July 2014, the board relocated to Grattan House, 67-72 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2.

Chairs of the HRB

• Dr WA Watts 1987 - 1989
• Professor MX FitzGerald 1990 - 1997
• Professor MB Murphy 1997 - 2002
• Professor Hugh R. Brady 2002 - 2003
• Professor D Fitzgerald 2003 - 2007
• Mr Reg Shaw 2007 - 2012
• Dr Declan Bedford 2012 to present

Chief Executives of the HRB

• Lt Comdr EJ Furness and Mr J O'Gorman 1987 - 1988 (jointly, in caretaker roles)
• Dr JV O'Gorman 1988 - 1998
• Dr R Barrington 1998 - 2007
• Dr Hamish Sinclair 2007 - 2008 (acting)
• Mr Enda Connolly 2008 - 2014
• Mr Graham Love 2014–present

Notes and References

1. Web site: S.I. No. 279/1986 - The Health Research Board (Establishment) Order, 1986.. irishstatutebook.ie. 3 December 2016.