SFPA Authority/Management Board

Paschal Hayes
Executive Chairperson, Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority

Mr Paschal Hayes was appointed as Executive Chairperson of the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority on 14 January 2022. The Executive Chair of the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) will lead and guide the SFPA organisation over the coming years and will be responsible for securing efficient and effective enforcement of sea fisheries and food safety law; promoting compliance while detecting and deterring contraventions.

Paschal has most recently worked as Principal Officer in the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine and led the Irish Managing Authority for the European Maritime Fisheries Fund (EMFF). In this role he facilitated the sustainable development of the Irish seafood sector through delivery of Ireland’s European Maritime & Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Operational Programme and management of sustainable inshore fisheries in compliance with the Common Fisheries Policy and environmental law. He also led the successful multiannual project to remediate Haulbowline Island. Previously he was Registrar General for Sea-fishing Boats and had responsibility for management and development of the six-state owned Fishery Harbour Centres (FHCs) at Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, Dingle, Killybegs and Ros an Mhíl. Paschal holds a BSc and a Diploma in Information Technology from Dublin City University and a MComm in Government and Public Policy from University College Cork.

Paschal Hayes is a Designated Public Official (DPO) under Regulation of Lobbying Act, 2015. (See www.lobbying.ie)

Michael Finn 
Senior Executive Manager (Authority Member)

Michael Finn was appointed to the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority in October 2022 with responsibility for Operations.  With over forty years of public service amassed in a wide range of operational, administrative and strategic managerial roles, Michael has vast experience in the areas of operational enforcement and compliance having worked at all levels up to Commissioner level within An Garda Síochána.  In addition to his operational experience, Michael has significant experience in the areas of organisational transformation having spearheaded An Garda Síochána’s restructuring programme as well as leading out on a number of significant IT projects.

Michael's academic qualifications include a Diploma in Personnel Management, University College Cork (1999);  Leaders for Tomorrow Programme– Kennedy School of Government, Harvard and Boston Police Department (1999); Bachelor of Arts in Police Management (HETAC) – 2005; Masters of Business Administration, University College Cork – 2007; Innovation and Governance – Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University - (2008) and a Post Graduate Diploma in Executive Police Leadership – Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, University College Dublin – 2009

Louise Murphy
Senior Executive Manager (Authority Member)

Louise Murphy was appointed to the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) on 10 March 2026 with responsibility for Strategic Management. Louise is the SFPA’s Chief Risk Officer and has responsibility for the leadership of the organisation’s corporate services functions as well as the Fisheries and Food Support Unit.

Louise has more than 20 years’ experience, the last 15 of which have been in the public sector. Ms. Murphy most recently worked as Acting Principal Officer Corporate Services at the SFPA and originally joined the SFPA as Director of Finance in 2017. She has been responsible for ensuring that resources are aligned with strategic goals, that public funds are managed with transparency, accountability and efficiency in accordance with corporate governance standards as well as the development and implementation of risk management policies. Prior to the SFPA, Louise amassed significant financial, governance and audit and assurance experience in Munster Technological University (MTU formerly Cork Institute of Technology) including at the National Maritime College of Ireland, a constituent college of MTU and Deloitte.

Olive Loughnane 
Senior Executive Manager, Director of Transformation

Olive was appointed Director of Transformation in January 2021. Olive has responsibility for the implementation of the recommendations of the Review of the Organisational Capability of the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority. She has overall management responsibility for Transformation in the SFPA.

Prior to her appointment to the SFPA, Olive worked as a Statistician in the CSO where, over the course of her career, she had responsibility for statistical outputs in the areas of crime, transport and business. She holds a B. Comm from University of Galway and a Masters in Leadership and Strategy. The research element of her MA focussed on the delivery of organisational change and implementation of governance reform. Olive had the distinction of representing Ireland in four consecutive Olympic Games and now plays a key strategic role in sport in Ireland as a Board member of Sport Ireland

Conor McDonough
Senior Executive Manager – Chief Information Officer

Conor was appointed Chief Information Officer in March 2023.

Prior to his appointment to the SFPA, Conor worked as a Principal Officer in Revenue’s Investigation, Prosecution and Frontier Management Division. Over the course of his career in Revenue, he has held key roles in the delivery of several major ICT development projects including the delivery of PAYE Modernisation, MyAccount and Jobs&Pensions online services. Conor holds a Graduate Diploma in Advanced Software Engineering from University College Dublin and a BSc in Computer Science from University College Cork.