Annual Report 2015 State Lab

2
Custom House Government Buildings
Abbotstown
Backweston

3
CONTENTS
Contents
INTRODUCTION BY THE STATE CHEMIST 4
OVERVIEW 6
PROGRESS IN RELATION TO GOALS
Strategic Goal 1 – Support National Food and Feed Safety Programmes 7
Strategic Goal 2 – Support Revenue Collection and Fraud Prevention 11
Strategic Goal 3 – Provide a Forensic Toxicology Service to the State 13
Strategic Goal 4 – Support Public Health and Environment Protection Initiatives 15
Strategic Goal 5 – Provide a Centralised Veterinary Toxicology Service 17
STUDENT PLACEMENT PROGRAMME 18
ADMINISTRATION 19
GOVERNANCE 20
APPENDICES
I Statement by the Accounting Officer on Internal Financial Control 21
II Meetings and Conferences attended by State Laboratory Staff 22
III Conference and Seminar Presentations by State Laboratory Staff 23
IV List of INAB Accredited Tests 24
V Energy Use Statement 26
VI Organisation Chart (as at 31st December 2015) 27
VII Staff List by Grade (as at 31st December 2015) 28

4
I am delighted to present this Annual Report which marks the tenth
anniversary of the State Laboratory moving from its previous premises
in Abbotstown to its current location on the Backweston Campus in
Co. Kildare. In May, the Laboratory marked the anniversary with a
Client Seminar at which personnel from the Department of Agriculture,
Revenue and the State Pathologist gave very interesting and stimulating
presentations to staff on what the work of the State Laboratory means
to them. The Seminar was very well attended and staff gained an
excellent insight into the many different purposes that their results of
analysis are use for.
In November, the National Sports Campus Development Authority
kindly hosted a presentation and tour of the current Abbotstown facility
for staff (including retirees) who previously worked there. It was a very
enjoyable event and staff were interested to see the many changes that
have taken place there in recent years. The former State Laboratory
building is now the FAI headquarters and there are no traces left of the
laboratory infrastructure.
On looking back over the ten years, it is notable how much
change has taken place in the analytical work of the State Laboratory.
Significant blocks of work have been discontinued and the level of testing
in other areas has increased dramatically. In that time, the Laboratory
consolidated its testing, focusing on chemical analysis, and it no longer
carries out any testing for genetically modified organisms or for plant
diseases. Likewise, the testing of biological samples for heavy metals /
trace elements for clinical and occupational health purposes has been
discontinued as was the monitoring of petrol and diesel samples for
environmental purposes. At a time of reduced resources, the low levels
of testing in these areas did not allow the laboratory to operate in an
efficient and cost effective manner and there were alternative service
providers available. Therefore, the decision was taken to concentrate on
carrying out complex chemical analyses where there where no service
providers available in Ireland.
The new areas of work include the testing of feed and food samples
for dioxins and the testing for toxicants in suspect bird and animal
poisoning cases. In other areas the level and complexity of testing has
increased dramatically especially in the Human and Veterinary
Toxicology sections.
Over the ten years, there was a 138% increase in the number of
post mortem samples submitted for the Coroners and a 131% increase
in the number of food of animal origin samples tested in-house for
veterinary residues. Although the number of animal feed samples
declined, the number of analyses performed on these samples increased
substantially and there is now a greater focus on testing for undesirable
substances such as heavy metals, banned antibiotics, mycotoxins and
dioxins compared to 2005 when the focus was more on nutrient
analysis. In all these areas, new multi-analyte test methods have been
introduced to replace single analyte methods. This has dramatically
improved the efficiency of the Laboratory as demonstrated by the fact
that there has been an almost 3-fold increase in the number of analytes
tested for in the past ten years while overall sample numbers have
remained relatively constant.
In the Customs and Excise area, there have also been major changes
in the numbers and types of samples submitted. The testing of large
numbers of meat and dairy product samples for export refund control
purposes and testing of frozen beef imports has all but disappeared and a
much more diverse range of Customs samples is now submitted,
INTRODUCTION
by the State Chemist

5
generally for tariff classification purposes. In the Excise area there is less
routine monitoring and more potential prosecution samples submitted,
particularly in relation to fuel laundering and counterfeit spirits. The
introduction of a new fuel marker in 2015 was very challenging for the
Laboratory because of a shortage of suitably trained staff to deal with the
30% increase in samples, many of which required rapid testing for the
new marker in support of active Revenue investigations. The Laboratory
also provided support and advice to Revenue during the tendering and
evaluation process for the deployment of roadside testing equipment.
Overall the introduction of the new marker has been a very successful
project and resulted in a very significant increase in Excise receipts for
Revenue in 2015.
Looking back, the move to new premises in 2005 proved to be an
important milestone for the State Laboratory. Moving to new, first class
laboratory facilities enabled the Laboratory to grow and develop the
highly specialised analytical service provided today. The focus for the
coming years will be to build on the progress made to date and to
continue to develop its capability and expertise to provide the quality and
range of service required by its clients. In feedback gained from annual
Customer Satisfaction surveys, the most important service attribute is
always the quality of the service provided and this is reflected in the
Laboratory’s current scope of accreditation. This has grown from 21 test
methods covering 34 analytes in 2005 to 46 test methods covering 397
analytes in 2015.
The quality and high standard of the work performed by the
Laboratory was further highlighted when the Laboratory submitted two
projects to the Civil Service Excellence Awards in October 2015 and one
project was short listed for an award under the Insight and Analysis
category.
Full details of work of the State Laboratory and its achievements in
2015 are presented in this annual report. As always without the
commitment and dedication of its staff none of this would have been
possible. The Laboratory lost six long-serving staff members through
retirements in 2015 and the loss of scientific knowledge and expertise
will be hard to replace. However the recruitment of new staff, including
seven chemists in 2015, will enable the Laboratory to build for the future
and deliver on its vision of providing a world class regulatory scientific
service to the State. It is planned to recruit new staff to the Laboratory
Analyst grade in 2016 which will improve the timeliness of the service
provided as this is another important attribute for clients and one that
was negatively impacted in 2015.
In conclusion, I would like to sincerely thank all the staff of the
Laboratory for their hard work and support throughout the year. Many
had the very important task of training and mentoring new staff, in
addition to delivering on their own goals and keeping abreast of scientific
innovations. This meant that our clients continued to receive a high
quality and comprehensive service that met their needs despite the many
challenges.
_________________
Ita Kinahan,
State Chemist
INTRODUCTION
by the State Chemist

6
The State Laboratory is a scheduled office under the aegis of the
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and it is the
Government’s principal analytical chemistry laboratory. Its high level
objective is to provide an accredited, high quality and timely chemical
analysis and advisory service to Government Departments and Offices,
which supports their policies, regulatory programmes and strategic
objectives, particularly in the areas of food and feed safety; revenue
collection; fraud prevention; public health and environment protection. It
also provides centralised forensic toxicology services to the Coroners
and other public sector clients.
In 2015, a total of 12,928 samples were analysed for 429,705
analytes, an increase of 7% on the total samples tested in 2014. This
increase was mainly due to increases in the number of food of animal
origin samples tested for veterinary residues and hydrocarbon oil
samples tested for fraud purposes.
Analytical chemistry is a continually evolving area and staff of the
Laboratory keep abreast of technological changes and take advantage of
the opportunities offered by new technology to improve the quality and
efficiency of the service provided to our clients. EU and Irish legislation
is regularly updated to reflect technological developments and the
Laboratory must continually update and improve its methods of analysis.
In 2015, new methods of analysis were developed and existing methods
were extended so that a total of 77 new tests were introduced, using a
variety of analytical techniques.
The Laboratory has an important advisory function, particularly in
the Customs and Excise area, and its staff act as the Irish representatives
at EU scientific committees and technical working groups on behalf of
Revenue and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (DJEI).
Laboratory staff also actively participate and represent Ireland as national
experts in international standardization bodies such as Codex
Alimentarius, the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN),
Eurachem and the Consultative Committee on the Amount of Substance
(CCQM).
The Laboratory has been designated as Ireland’s main Official
Control Laboratory for animal feedingstuffs and as a National Reference
Laboratory (NRL) for parameters such as nutritional additives for use in
animal feed, veterinary residues in food of animal origin and dioxins and
other contaminants in feed and food. Staff collaborate with the EU
Reference Laboratory (EURL) in their area of competence, attend NRL
network meetings and workshops and disseminate information supplied
by the EURL to the competent authority and official national
laboratories.
National and international acceptance of results of analysis requires
laboratories to have third party peer accreditation of its methods of
analysis. The State Laboratory operates in accordance with a
documented quality system based on an international standard for
competence of testing laboratories (ISO/IEC 17025) and is accredited by
the Irish National Accreditation Board as being in compliance with this
standard for specific areas of work (INAB Reg. No. 146T). The
Laboratory successfully underwent an annual assessment visit by INAB in
2015 and it is currently accredited for 46 test methods covering 397
individual analytes.
This annual report details the implementation of the State
Laboratory’s Strategy Statement for 2015 and highlights the Laboratory’s
main activities and achievements under each Strategic Goal.
OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW
Numbers of Samples Tested
No. of Samples No. of Analytes Tested For
Food and Feed Safety 3,843 37,117
Revenue Collection and Fraud Prevention 2,967 16,591
Forensic Toxicology Service 5,693 372,512
Public Health and Heritage Protection 101 112
Veterinary Toxicology Service 324 3,373
Overall Total 12,928 429,705

7
Strategic Goal 1
Support National Food and Feed Safety Programmes
Strategic Goal 1: Support National Food and Feed Safety Programmes
As Ireland is a major food exporter, monitoring and controlling aspects of food and animal feed safety is a high priority. The State
Laboratory assists the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) in
ensuring the quality and safety of Irish food and food products by monitoring compliance with European and national legislation
governing the production, distribution and sale of animal feedstuffs and by testing a wide range of foods for veterinary residues and
other contaminants.
Animal Feedingstuffs
Animal feed is one of the most important components of the production
chain of food of animal origin. In economic terms, animal feed accounts
for up to 70% of the total costs of animal production and has an impact on
animal health and productivity as well as on food safety and quality. The
aim of animal feed controls is to ensure that feedingstuffs are of good
quality and do not constitute a hazard to human or animal health. The
controls are implemented through risk based inspections and sampling of
feedingstuffs at all stages of the feed chain.
The State Laboratory is the principal laboratory responsible for
feedingstuffs analysis in Ireland. Samples of feed materials, feed additives,
mineral mixtures and compound feeds are routinely tested to ensure that
they contain the declared nutrients (protein, fat, starch and minerals),
micro-nutrients (trace elements, vitamins), fibre and moisture contents and
do not contain elevated levels of toxic components (dioxins, mycotoxins,
heavy metals).
During 2015, a number of priority samples were submitted for
analysis. These included 22 samples to be tested for fluorine as a follow up
to a Rapid Alert issued in May 2014. Due to the small number of samples
normally included in the annual inspection plan for fluorine analysis, this
testing was previously outsourced. However, the Rapid Alert investigation
revealed significant problems with how this analysis was performed in
different EU laboratories. For this reason the decision was taken by the
State Laboratory to develop a method in-house for this analysis from 2016
onwards.
Other priority samples were tested for arsenic, cadmium, lead and
selenium as part of an investigation into cattle deaths on a farm in July but
no significant levels were detected. Also in July, two non-routine cattle
feed samples were tested for sulphur content.
A new ICP-MS instrument was purchased during 2015 and work
commenced on developing a method for the simultaneous determination
of 15 trace elements, heavy metals and other elements in feed. The
Laboratory participated in a CEN collaborative trial for this method and
when accredited and implemented, it will significantly improve the
Laboratory’s efficiency. The Laboratory also participated in a CEN
collaborative trial for an ICP-MS method for iodine in feed.
Medicated Feed
Prescribed antibiotics can be given to livestock in the form of medicated
feed and the correct dosage rate is important to prevent a build up of
antibiotic resistance. Feed samples are tested for authorised veterinary
medicines and coccidiostats (feed additives used to prevent coccidiosis, a
major disease in poultry and other farm animals) to ensure that the
correct therapeutic levels are present. During 2015, in addition to routine
testing, 15 feed samples were analysed for chlortetracycline to check the
homogeneity of the manufacturing process. Another 3 potential
prosecution samples were tested to check for the unauthorised use of
chlortetracycline.
During the production of feed containing coccidiostats, unavoidable
carry-over of these compounds can occur from target feed to non-target

8
feed when the same production lines are used, potentially causing harm to
the non-target species. The Laboratory tests for carryover levels of 11
coccidiostats in rations destined for non-target species.
The Laboratory also tests for banned antibiotics which are no longer
allowed in livestock production in Europe and the method is capable of
detecting 12 different antibiotics. During 2015, this method of analysis was
transferred to a newer, more sensitive LC/MS/MS instrument. The new
method, which required significant revalidation, is capable of detecting 14
different antibiotics in feed. The method for carryover levels of
coccidiostats will be transferred to this new instrument during 2016.
During 2015, significant progress was made at EU level on a proposal
for a new regulation which will repeal Council Directive 90/167/EEC on
medicated feed. State Laboratory staff attended a number of meetings with
DAFM staff and provided scientific advice on the implications of new
tolerances that were being proposed for compositional labelling of
medicated feeds and proposed cross-contamination limits.
Food Safety
To ensure that food produced in Ireland is of the highest standard, the
Food Safety Authority (FSAI) and DAFM work together to implement
comprehensive multi-annual control plans to monitor the production of
food at all stages of the food chain and ensure compliance with national
and international standards of food safety. The State Laboratory has
developed a high level of expertise in the chemical analysis of veterinary
drug residues and other chemical contaminants such as dioxins and
mycotoxins in food.
Veterinary Drug Residues
The presence of unauthorised substances, residues of veterinary medicinal
products or chemical contaminants in food may pose a risk to public
health. Under EU legislation (Council Directive 96/23/EC), DAFM
administers a National Residues Monitoring Plan (NRMP) which is designed
to safeguard consumers from harmful residues in food of animal origin.
Animal categories and food products covered include bovines, pigs, sheep
and goats, horses, poultry, milk, eggs and honey.
There was a 19% increase in the number of samples tested for
veterinary drug residues in 2015, mainly due to the extension of existing
analytical methods to test for additional banned steroids and
corticosteroids. This testing had previously been outsourced and taking it
in-house has resulted in significant savings for DAFM and reduced the turn
around times.
Following a positive phenylbutazone result for an equine sample in May
2014, a positive release scheme was put in place with sampled carcasses
being detained at the factory pending the outcome of analysis. This
programme continued during 2015 with 140 samples prioritised and tested
within an average turn around time of 4 days. This short turn around time
put a significant strain on the Laboratory’s resources but it is considered
necessary because another positive result would damage Ireland’s
reputation as a major exporter of high quality fresh meat and meat
products.
Chemical Contaminants – Dioxins, Mycotoxins
and Nitrates
Dioxins are highly toxic environmental contaminants which must be
excluded from the human and animal food chain as approximately 90% of
human exposure to dioxins results from the consumption of contaminated
food such as dairy produce, meat and fish.
In addition to testing a wide range of feedingstuffs (including recycled
foods used for animal feeding), the State Laboratory tests infant formula
samples and foods such as milk and vegetable oils used in the dairy
Strategic Goal 1

9
industry. Animal fats for a range of species are sampled and tested under
the National Residue Monitoring Plan and samples of milk are tested for
the Environmental Protection Agency and Cork County Council as part of
their annual surveys to monitor background levels of dioxins in the
environment.
In 2015, samples were also tested for an FSAI survey on background
levels of dioxins and brominated flame retardants in Irish food of animal
origin. The majority of food samples tested by the State Laboratory are
individual samples which do not fulfil FSAI’s requirement for aggregate
sampling (composite samples typically comprising of 10 sub-samples)
specified in the contaminants legislation (Regulation 589/2014). This survey
involved a total of 240 individual samples being homogenised, combined
and mixed to form 55 composite samples for analysis.
The matrices tested included fat and liver samples from 4 different
animal species, samples of 8 different species of fish, milk and egg samples.
Dioxin testing was carried out in the State Laboratory and required the
Laboratory to extend its existing sample preparation procedures to
include the liver and fish matrices. A portion of each composite sample
was also sent to a contract laboratory abroad to be tested for brominated
flame retardants as the State Laboratory does not yet have this capability.
Mycotoxins are substances naturally produced by moulds and fungi
that can enter the food chain via contaminated animal feedingstuffs. The
Laboratory uses a multi-analyte LC/MS/MS method capable of detecting 16
mycotoxins in feed (12 quantitatively, 4 qualitatively) for routine testing of
feed samples. Under the National Residue Monitoring Plan, samples of milk
and liver are tested for aflatoxin M1 and ochratoxin A respectively.
There is concern at EU level regarding the possible health risks
associated with high dietary intakes of nitrates and since leafy vegetables
are the main source of dietary nitrate, maximum levels have been
established for nitrate content in lettuce and spinach and samples taken by
DAFM are analysed by the State Laboratory on a regular basis.
Fertilisers and Liming Materials
The State Laboratory is Ireland’s approved laboratory for checking that
fertilisers placed on the market comply with EU legislation. Fertilisers and
liming material play an essential role in supporting plant growth and animal
production. Fertilisers supply the nutrients required to produce forage and
crops, and liming materials ensure that soil pH is optimised to support
plant growth. Fertilisers are routinely monitored for the following
nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, and sulphur. The minerals
magnesium and sodium are also tested for in relevant fertiliser samples.
Liming materials are monitored for particle size, total neutralising value
(TNV) and moisture content. This testing is particularly important when
new limestone quarries are opened. Regulation (EC) 2003/2003 for
fertilisers was amended in 2013 to include liming materials. The purpose of
the new legislation was to prevent a diversity of national rules in relation
to liming materials leading to distortion of the internal market.
During 2015, limestone samples were received for the first time for
evaluation under the new legislation. This meant that the fineness of the
liming materials had to be determined using a new wet sieving procedure.
Also for these samples total calcium, total magnesium and TNV expressed
as CaO had to be determined and a new ICP-OES method was developed
for determining total calcium and magnesium in samples submitted for new
licence applications. The introduction of the new legislation led to an
increase in the non-compliance rate and a doubling of the number of
limestone samples submitted for analysis during 2015 compared to the
previous year.
National Reference Laboratory Responsibilities
The State Laboratory is a National Reference Laboratory (NRL) in the
following areas:
 residues of veterinary medicinal products (steroids,
corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs),
nitroimidazoles and sedatives) in food of animal origin;
Strategic Goal 1

10
Strategic Goal 1
Numbers of Samples Tested
Food and Feed Safety
Category of Sample No. of Samples No. of Analytes Tested For
Animal Feedingstuffs 717 8,762
Veterinary Residues in Food 1,964 12,265
Dioxins in Feed and Food 344 13,405
Mycotoxins in Feed and Food 477 1,946
Nitrates in Vegetables 85 85
Fertilisers / Liming Materials 256 654
Totals 3,843 37,117
New Methods Developed
Food and Feed Safety
Test Method Analytical Technique No. of Analytes
Steroids (8) in serum LC/MS/MS 8
Calcium and Magnesium in limestone ICP/OES 2
Limestone fineness by wet sieving method Gravimetric 1
Total 11
 additives for use in animal nutrition;
 dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in food and animal
feed;
 mycotoxins in animal feed and food of animal origin; and
 heavy metals in animal feed.
This requires State Laboratory staff to collaborate with the relevant
European Union Reference Laboratories (EURLs) on analytical test
methods, oversee the performance of screening methods in official
laboratories in their areas of competence, and where necessary provide
technical assistance and advice to the official laboratories and DAFM as the
Competent Authority.
The State Laboratory’s NRL function in the veterinary drug residues
area expanded in 2015 when it was required to take a more active role in
overseeing an official laboratory that experienced significant analytical
problems during the earlier part of the year. At the request of DAFM,
State Laboratory staff carried out an audit of the official laboratory and
followed up to ensure that recommendations arising from the audit were
implemented and effective.
The Laboratory also convened a meeting with other NRLs to discuss a
proposal to update the legislation concerning the performance of analytical
methods and interpretation of results and the notes from this meeting
were provided to DAFM. Technical advice was also provided to DAFM in
relation to tender submissions from suppliers of outsourced testing under
the NRMP.
In November 2015, the Laboratory hosted a visit from the EU
Reference Laboratory (based in RIKILT, The Netherlands) and the
conclusions from the visit were very positive. The final report also
recommended that the State Laboratory devote more resources to
method development and, as the NRL for steroids, it should start
developing methods to detect the presence of steroid esters in hair or
serum which could provide conclusive evidence of the illegal administration
of growth promoting hormones.

11
Strategic Goal 2: Support Revenue Collection and Fraud Prevention
The State Laboratory advises the Office of the Revenue Commissioners on the classification of goods and on the application of
appropriate excise duties on hydrocarbon oil products and alcoholic beverages and provides an analytical and advisory service in
relation to mineral oils, alcoholic beverages and non-potable alcohol-containing products.
Strategic Goal 2
Support Revenue Collection and Fraud Prevention
Customs Samples
The number of samples submitted in the Customs area decreased by
15% in 2015 relative to the previous year but this is not necessarily an
accurate reflection of the level of work involved due to the wide variety
and complexity of cases submitted for tariff classification purposes. All
traded goods such as chemicals, foods, medicaments and plastics
imported into or exported from the EU must be classified for Customs
purposes and each separate product is assigned a particular classification
code. State Laboratory staff have a high level of expertise in this area
which enables them to advise Revenue on tariff classification of samples
that require chemical analysis to support classification decisions.
An important aspect of this work is attendance at meetings of
Technical Committees of both the European Union and the World
Customs Organisation where issues relating to the interpretation of
tariff headings are discussed and decisions made on the classification of
products. In 2015, tariff classification advice was provided for 335
samples compared to 347 samples the previous year.
The Laboratory also provided additional support to the Department
of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (DJEI) during 2015 which involved
liaising with applicants for duty suspensions and deputising for DJEI staff
at relevant meetings. All applications were processed successfully.
Excise Samples
The State Laboratory provides an analytical and advisory service to
Revenue in relation to mineral oils, alcoholic beverages and non-potable
alcohol-containing products to assist them in determining the
appropriate duties applicable and in prosecuting fraud where attempts
are made to evade such duties. During 2015, the Laboratory worked
closely with Revenue during the introduction of a new, more effective
fuel marker which was implemented from 1st
April 2015.
Mineral Oil Testing
Rebated (lower-taxed) fuel for off-road use (agriculture/home heating) is
marked with dyes or chemical markers so that its use for any other
purpose or illegal sale can be identified. A major illicit activity in relation
to mineral oil is the laundering of marked fuel to remove these markers.
This has been a persistent problem for many years as fuel laundering
poses a serious threat to the Exchequer, to legitimate trade and, because
of the processes used in laundering, to the environment.
The Revenue Commissioners devote considerable resources to
tackling this activity and in 2015, they carried out a nationwide testing
programme to detect the use of laundered fuel visiting over 500
premises in the process. The State Laboratory supported this work by
analysing samples of the fuel seized for the presence/absence of
prescribed oil markers and providing analytical evidence and expert
advice to facilitate the prosecution of those involved in this fraudulent
activity.
The introduction of the new marker in 2015, led to a 30% increase
in the numbers of potential prosecution fuel oil samples submitted for
analysis and an increase in the complexity of the analysis undertaken.
There was also a requirement for rapid analysis of the new marker in
priority samples to support Revenue investigations and enforcement
procedures. A new template for certificates of analysis had to be
created for samples containing the new marker and this was done in
collaboration with Revenue solicitors to ensure that the certificates
were fit for the purpose of supporting court prosecutions. Overall, it
has been estimated that there was a close to €500m increase in Excise
receipts for 2015 as a result of the introduction of the new marker.
Also during 2015, Revenue issued a tender for the supply of
roadside testing equipment for the new marker, and the State
Laboratory played a key role in evaluating two instruments that were

12
submitted in response to this tender. Following testing under laboratory
conditions and subsequently on the road, a report was prepared for
Revenue on the performance and suitability of the two instruments as
mobile testing equipment for the new marker in fuels. The Laboratory
also supported the implementation of roadside testing by supplying
suitable calibration solutions and advice on appropriate procedures to
avoid contamination.
Other work was carried out for County Councils responsible for
disposing of the waste emanating from laundering plants that was dumped
illegally at sites in the border regions to detect the fuel markers present in
the waste.
Following the petrol contamination / stretching problem that emerged
in the West of Ireland, border regions and the midlands in the latter
months of 2014, petrol samples were submitted for analysis on an ongoing
basis by Customs and Excise officers during 2015. These were tested for a
range of fuel quality parameters to check for contamination or petrol
stretching.
Alcohol Testing
For excise purposes, alcoholic beverages are classified as beers, wines,
ciders or spirits and duty is based on the alcohol content. Counterfeit
spirits are illegally produced alcoholic drinks which are often sold to
consumers as legitimate product.
The State Laboratory assists the Office of the Revenue
Commissioners to monitor compliance and to combat excise duty fraud
and the production and distribution of counterfeit spirits. Most samples
are tested for alcohol content and, where required, congener profiling and
testing for authenticity indicators is carried out. A small number of
samples containing non-potable alcohol are tested for denaturants.
Sample numbers for alcohol testing increased by 50% in 2015 as a
result of increased activity in relation to prosecutions for fraud. These
potential prosecution samples also required a lot more complex analysis
than non-prosecution alcoholic beverage samples that are submitted for
tariff / excise classification purposes. However, the latter can give rise to
difficult interpretation issues that require careful examination of case law
and other precedents.
Strategic Goal 2
Support Revenue Collection and Fraud Prevention
NUMBERS OF SAMPLES TESTED
Revenue Collection and Fraud Prevention
Customs 372 256
Excise - Mineral Oils 2,184 15,279
Excise - Alcohols 411 1,056
Totals 2,967 16,591

13
Strategic Goal 3
Provide a Forensic Toxicology Service to the State
Forensic Toxicology Service
The State Laboratory provides a forensic toxicology service to assist
Coroners and the State Pathologist to investigate the causes of
unexpected death by analysing post mortem samples to confirm the
presence or absence of ethanol, legal and illegal drugs and other toxic
substances. The levels of substances detected are also quantified.
The Laboratory also assists An Garda Síochána with criminal
investigations (e.g. death in custody, murder and alleged drug facilitated
sexual assault) where there is a need for confirmatory drug analysis on
biological samples to form part of the files for the prosecution of
individuals. This work gives rise to a need for staff to attend and give
evidence in legal proceedings.
Several recent reports have highlighted the marked increase and
severity of Ireland’s drug abuse problem. Data collated by the Health
Research Board over recent years shows a startling upward trend in
polydrug use, involving a combination of alcohol, illicit drugs and
prescription medication. The drug market is organised, lucrative and
constantly evolving as demonstrated by the explosion of designer drugs in
recent years.
State Laboratory staff are pro-active about using their wide network of
contacts to keep abreast of the latest drugs of abuse in circulation and
where possible they extend the scope of the methods of analysis to
include these new compounds as soon as reference standards become
available. The Laboratory is also represented on the Irish national early
warning system which is instrumental in identifying new drugs, monitoring
trends and making recommendations that ultimately support national harm
reduction initiatives.
Since 2013, all post-mortem samples nationwide have been submitted
to the State Laboratory for both screening and confirmatory analysis
which has enabled the laboratory to streamline and standardise the service
provided to all Coroners. During 2015, following an agreement with the

14
Coroners 5,227 344,425
State Pathologist 380 21,942
Criminal Cases 86 6,145
Totals 5,693 372,512
NEW METHODS DEVELOPED
Screening method for drugs in urine extended to
include additional drugs
LC/MS/MS 24
Screening method for drugs in blood extended to
include additional drugs
HRLC/MS/MS 10
Total 34
Strategic Goal 3
Provide a Forensic Toxicology Service to the State
Coroners Society in late 2014, there was a change to blood only ethanol
testing in double matrix cases (both blood and urine samples submitted),
with urine testing available on request. This enabled the Laboratory to
focus its resources on expanding the range of drug testing with 34
additional drugs added to the overall scope of testing. This ensured that
the testing service remained current and met client requirements.
During the period 2012 – 2015 there has been a 47% increase in
sample numbers. Despite this upward trend, there has been no increase in
overall staffing levels assigned to this work area. Streamlined work
practices and new methods of analysis have mainly compensated for the
staffing deficit. However the loss of experienced staff due to retirements
and delays in recruiting new staff in 2015 resulted in the Laboratory not
meeting its turn around target of reporting 90% of samples within 3
months. Overall, 82% of samples were reported within the agreed time.
In October 2015, the Laboratory submitted a project entitled
“Optimising Forensic Toxicology Testing” to the Civil Service Excellence
Awards and it was short listed for an award under the Insight & Analysis
category. This reflected the excellent work the Laboratory’s staff had
been doing to improve the service to Coroners in difficult circumstances
over the previous few years.

15
Strategic Goal 4
Support Public Health and Environment Protection Initiatives
Public Health Protection
The State Laboratory assists the Health Products Regulatory Authority
(HPRA) to control the use of unlicensed medicines by analysing seized
pharmaceutical and herbal products for the presence of pharmaceutically
active compounds and scientific staff provide expert testimony in
subsequent court prosecutions. The Laboratory also tests a small number
of samples from other sources including Customs & Excise officers, An
Garda Síochána, and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland.
The use of the internet to purchase unlicensed medicines continues to
be a cause for concern for the HPRA who issued an information leaflet on
the ‘Dangers of Buying Prescription Medicines Online’ in June 2015. There
is no guarantee about the safety or quality of medicines purchased online.
These products may not be genuine, may not contain the correct active
ingredient or may even contain dangerous toxic substances.
During 2015, the analysis of illegal products for zopiclone (a sedative),
clobetasol (a potent corticosteroid) and erectile dysfunction drugs such as
sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil, which can have potentially serious adverse
reactions, made up a large proportion of the analysis work performed for
the HPRA. Other products were tested for ephedrine (a central nervous
system stimulant), sibutramine (a slimming aid) and for a range of steroids.
There was a greater number of new methods developed during 2015
than in the previous year with 8 new HPLC/PDA methods validated and
accredited. A new “All Ions” QTOF LCMS method was developed for 15
drugs and the Laboratory was also awarded Flexible Scope accreditation
by the Irish National Accreditation Board for this method. This method
should improve the efficiency of the service provided and assist in the
analysis of “unknown” samples which can prove very time-consuming.
Heritage Protection
The State Laboratory provides scientific assistance to the Office of Public
Works and a variety of other bodies responsible for the conservation of
Ireland’s heritage.
In 2015, the cooperation between the State Laboratory and the
Conservation Department of the National Gallery (NGI) continued with
analysis carried out on sample particles taken from ongoing Conservation
and Research projects. In December, Ele von Monschaw and Gina Grond
from the NGI visited the State Laboratory to use the Laboratory’s new
energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence instrument. A long term research
project into the materials used by Jack B. Yeats was widened to include
samples from additional paintings by him.
Public Health and Heritage Protection
Medicinal Products 80 91
Heritage Protection 21 21
Totals 101 112

16
Strategic Goal 4
Support Public Health and Environment Protection Initiatives
A second project involved a new NGI addition, a panel painting by
Maerten de Vos (1532-1603) which was undergoing treatment for the
planned re-opening after the National Gallery’s refurbishment. This rather
large panel has some key colours that one would associate with
contemporary artists of his time and therefore analysis of his yellow, red,
blue and petrol colours was of interest to get confirmation on materials
used by the artist.
The third research project was on a Victorian painting announcing
“The Death of the Queen ” by the Irish artist Richard Thomas Moynan. In
this unfinished painting, Moynan’s international training from Ireland to
Paris and Brussels is evident, and investigation into his pigments shed light
on the choice and availability of paint/pigments to him in Ireland. This
Conservation project was carried out in the National Gallery with the
cooperation of the Heritage Council which sponsored an internship for
Graduated Conservators.
Public Health and Heritage Protection
“All Ions” method for testing medicinal products QToF LC/MS 15
Drugs in medicinal products HPLC/PDA 8
Total 23

17
Strategic Goal 5
Provide a Centralised Veterinary Toxicology Service
Veterinary Toxicology Service
The State Laboratory provides a qualitative toxicant testing service to
DAFM and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to assist
investigations into suspected poisonings of birds of prey such as the re-
introduced golden eagles, white tailed sea eagles and red kites and other
highly vulnerable species (buzzards, kestrels and owls) and to investigate
cases of suspected farm or companion animal poisonings.
There was a 38% increase in the number of samples submitted for
analysis in 2015. Most samples were submitted in the Spring from late
February to mid-April with further spikes in the months of July and
September. In 2015, a total of 35 poisonings of bird of prey persecution
incidents were confirmed in Ireland. This is the largest number of
confirmed incidents since testing began in 2011 and follows an increasing
trend in recent years.
The qualitative method used by the State Laboratory is capable of
detecting 13 of the most commonly used toxicants. Work progressed
well on developing new quantitative methods of analysis, with the
required sensitivity, to accurately determine the levels of analytes present.
These methods cover current toxicants plus all new second generation
anticoagulant rodenticides, as required by the Campaign for Responsible
Rodenticide Use (CRRU) which is supporting this work. However, there
was a long delay in obtaining the radio-labelled internal standard required
for accurate quantitation (which had to be produced specially) and this
meant that validation of the new methods could not be completed until
2016.
Veterinary Products
The Laboratory analyses veterinary medicinal products seized for
enforcement purposes by DAFM Investigations Division. Sample numbers
were down on 2014, but there was a big increase in the number of new
methods of analysis that had to be developed and validated, 9 in 2015
compared to 2 in 2014. There was also a new requirement for the
analysis of unknown active ingredients in a variety of products which can
be very time-consuming. A new Veterinary Toxicology database for use
with the QTOF LC/MS instrument was purchased towards the end of the
year which should assist in the screening of these samples.
Toxicants in post mortem samples 260 3,302
Veterinary Medicinal Products 64 71
Totals 324 3,373
Drugs in veterinary products
HPLC/PDA 9
Total
9

18
The State Laboratory has been involved in facilitating student placements
for many years. The work placements/experience are a compulsory part of
the students’ four year honours degree course and the placements must be
completed before the student begins their final year. The placements are
confined to students whose degree courses are particularly relevant to the
work of the Laboratory.
The Programme provides students with a developmental opportunity
to apply skills and knowledge gained during the first three years of their
degree course to a working environment. The Programme also offers the
students useful insights for their final year of study and prepares them for
seeking employment once they have completed their studies. In addition, it
gives the students a realistic and positive insight into the modern Public
Service and thereby encourages them to view a career as an Analyst or a
Chemist in the State Laboratory and other public service laboratories
positively.
During their placement, students obtain experience of the work in the
Veterinary Toxicology, Human Toxicology and Animal Feedingstuffs
Sections of the Laboratory. They carry out routine analyses, under the
supervision of Senior Analysts/Analysts, on food, animal feed, fertilizers,
and biological fluids using classical and instrumental techniques. All the
analyses are carried out according to the Laboratory’s quality and safety
policies and, in doing so, the students acquire knowledge of the underlying
analytical principles and relevant legislative or other background material.
The colleges and degree courses for 2015 were:
 Dublin City University – Analytical Science;
 Limerick Institute of Technology – Pharmaceutical and Forensic
Analysis;
 Dublin Institute of Technology – Forensic and Environmental
Analysis;
 Galway Mayo Institute of Technology – Chemical and
Pharmaceutical Science
STUDENT PLACEMENT PROGRAMME
Emma Walsh, Student Analyst,
Veterinary Toxicology Section, 2015
“As part of my degree in Forensic and Environmental Chemistry, I spent
almost 8 months on work placement working in the Veterinary Toxicology
section of the State Laboratory, working as part of a multi-disciplinary
team analysing veterinary drug residues in food samples of animal origin.
The aim of the work placement module is to allow students to apply
their analytical and laboratory skills in a professional environment and I can
honestly say with confidence that the State Laboratory has given me the
opportunity and the facilities to successfully achieve this aim. My time at
the lab allowed me the opportunity to further develop my skills and apply
the knowledge I gained during the first three years of my degree. In
addition, as a result of my time spent in the Veterinary Toxicology section,
I have gained invaluable experience which will undoubtedly be of huge
benefit to me going forward in my future career. Being part of an
establishment that carries out a wide range of analyses using various test
methods has truly broadened my knowledge of the array of methodologies
employed in a modern analytical chemistry laboratory. It also gave me a
lot of hands on experience with state of the art instrumentation and
techniques which I had not used before.
It must be said that the success of my experience at the State
Laboratory was due largely to the excellent staff members of the entire
laboratory, and in particular the Veterinary Toxicology section. From day
one I was treated as one of the team and I was entrusted with many tasks
and responsibilities which enabled me to get involved in all areas of the
section. The Veterinary Toxicology team offered endless cordial support,
not to mention exemplary guidance, mentoring and encouragement,
throughout the course of my work placement.
Overall it was as a result of my time and experience at the laboratory,
in combination with the influence of the staff of the Veterinary Toxicology
section, which was the ultimate factor in my decision to pursue a PhD in
the area of veterinary drug analysis.”
State Laboratory Student Placement Programme

19
Administration
In 2015, there was an emphasis on recruitment and filling vacancies due
to the many retirements and other staff movements that occurred
during the year. There was also a significant effort put into managing the
transition to shared services.
Shared Services
Shared Services are at heart of the Government’s Public Service Reform
Plan to maximise new and innovative service delivery channels, to
radically reduce costs to drive better value for money and to lead,
organise and work in new ways.
In March 2015, the State Laboratory transitioned to PeoplePoint, the
Civil Service centralised HR Shared Service which manages the
transactional elements of HR processes for client Departments and
Offices.
The State Laboratory continued to prepare for the introduction of a
Financial Management Shared Service (FMSS) and a member of staff from
the Laboratory participated in one of the working groups preparing for
the Civil Service wide implementation of the FMSS.
Staffing
At the end of December 2015, the Laboratory had 83 Whole Time
Equivalent (WTE) staff members. This compares with 79 WTEs at the
end of 2014.
Ten staff members left the Laboratory during 2015. The following
staff retired: Patricia Bonner (Senior Chemist), Frances Mahon (Chemist
II), Keith Pearson (Senior Laboratory Analyst), Sean King (Senior
Laboratory Analyst), Sylvester O’Neill (Laboratory Attendant), Cornelius
Lucey (Senior Laboratory Analyst). One Clerical Officer returned to
their parent Department following a period of secondment and two
Clerical Officers returned to their parent Departments on promotion.
One Chemist Grade III resigned on appointment to another Department
on promotion.
Fourteen staff joined the Laboratory during 2015. Three Clerical
Officers, one Higher Executive Officer and one Administrative Officer
commenced periods of secondment. Following an open competition
undertaken by the Public Appointments Service, 7 Chemists Grade III
were recruited and 2 Laboratory Attendants were recruited following an
open competition run by the Laboratory.
In 2015, the Laboratory continued with its student placement
scheme in association with Dublin City University; Dublin Institute of
Technology; Galway Mayo Institute of Technology; Limerick Institute of
Technology; University College Cork; and University of Limerick. Four
students were placed in areas complementary to their academic
discipline for a period of six months.
Sick Leave
In 2015, the Laboratory’s Lost Time Rate was 1.79% (down from 3.91%
in 2014) and compares with a Lost Time Rate of 4.4% for the Civil
Service as a whole in 2015. The average working days lost per full time
employee was 4.1 (the Civil Service average was 10.2).
Flexible Working Arrangements and Equality of
Opportunity
State Laboratory staff can avail of flexible working arrangements
including work-sharing, flexitime, parental leave and shorter working
year. Staffing shortfalls arising from staff availing of these arrangements
have to be absorbed by the Laboratory.
ADMINISTRATION
Family Friendly Policies
Scheme % of staff availing of
scheme in 2014
Worksharing 12%
Parental Leave 8%
Career Breaks 1%
Shorter Working Year 9%
Gender Breakdown in The State Laboratory
Grade Female Male
State Chemist 1 0
Principal Chemist 2 0
Senior Chemist 5 2
Assistant Principal Officer 1 0
Technical Information Manager 0 1
Chemist Grade II 5 5
Chemist 13 8
Higher Executive Officer 1 1
Senior Laboratory Analyst 9 3
Laboratory Analyst 8 6
Staff Officer 1 1
Clerical Officer 4 3
Laboratory Attendant 0 5
Total 50 36
Administrative Officer 0 1

20
Governance
Quality System
The quality of analytical work from the State Laboratory is enhanced
through compliance with the quality standard ISO/IEC 17025 (General
requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories).
The State Laboratory operates in accordance with a documented quality
system and is currently accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 by the Irish
National Accreditation Board (INAB Reg. No. 146T) for 46 test
methods covering 397 analytes.
During 2015, the State Laboratory’s Quality Manager represented
Ireland on behalf of the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI)
on the ISO/CASCO (WG44) during the revision of ISO/IEC 17025.
Meetings were held in Geneva and were attended by approximately 80
international experts from many different countries.
System of Internal Financial Control
The State Chemist’s Statement on Internal Financial Control which can
be found at Appendix I was submitted to the Office of the Comptroller
and Auditor General along with the State Laboratory’s 2015
Appropriation Account
The State Laboratory’s Audit Committee met twice in 2015. Internal
audits were conducted on Payroll and Travel & Subsistence payments
and Financial Reporting, Treasury & Revenue. A Review of the System
of Internal Control was also carried out and progress on implementing
corrective actions recommended in the course of previous audits was
tracked.
The Comptroller and Auditor General’s Office carried out their
annual audit of the State Laboratory’s 2014 Appropriation Account in
March 2015 and no significant issues were raised during the audit.
Financial Information
The following table summarises the State Laboratory’s financial
expenditure in 2015, with figures for 2014 provided for comparative
purposes.
Prompt Payments
In 2015, a total of four invoices incurred late payment interest penalties.
The total interest paid and penalties paid amounted to €171.66.
Freedom of Information
The State Laboratory received no non-personal Freedom of Information
requests in 2015.
Protected Disclosures
No protected disclosures were received by the State Laboratory in the
reporting period up to 30 June 2015.
Gross Expenditure 2014
€000
2015
€000
A1. Salaries, Wages & Allowances 4,819 4,948
A2. Travel and Subsistence 26 31
A3. Training and Development &
Incidental Expenses
228 226
A4. Postal & Telecommunications Services 60 61
A5. Apparatus & Chemical Equipment 1,794 1,868
A6. Office Premises Expenses 1,372 1,478
A7. Consultancy Services (Internal Audit) 13 14
Gross Total 8,312 8,626
GOVERNANCE

21
Statement by the Accounting Officer on Internal Financial Control
Responsibility for system of Internal Financial Control
As Accounting Officer I acknowledge my responsibility for ensuring that an effective system of internal financial control is maintained and operated by the
State Laboratory. This responsibility is exercised in the context of the resources available to me and my other obligations as Head of Office. Also, any
system of internal financial control can provide only reasonable and not absolute assurance that assets are safeguarded, transactions authorised and
properly recorded, and that material errors or irregularities are either prevented or would be detected in a timely manner. Maintaining the system of
internal financial controls is a continuous process and the system and its effectiveness are kept under ongoing review.
I have fulfilled my responsibilities in relation to the requirement of the Service Management Agreement between the State Laboratory and the
National Shared Service Office for the provision of payroll shared services and human resources shared services.
I rely on a letter of assurance from the Accounting Officer of the Vote for Shared Services that the appropriate controls are exercised in the
provision of payroll shared services and human resources shared services to the Laboratory.
Financial Control Environment
I confirm that a control environment containing the following elements is in place:
 financial responsibilities have been assigned at management level with corresponding accountability
 reporting arrangements have been established at all levels where responsibility for financial management has been assigned
 formal procedures have been established for reporting significant control failures and ensuring appropriate corrective action
 there is an audit committee to advise me in discharging my responsibilities for the internal financial control system.
Administrative Controls and Management Reporting
I confirm that a framework of administrative procedures and regular management reporting is in place including segregation of duties and a system of
delegation and accountability and, in particular, that:
 there is an appropriate budgeting system with an annual budget which is kept under review by senior management
 there are regular reviews by senior management of periodic and annual financial reports which indicate financial performance against forecasts
 a risk management system operates within the State Laboratory
 there are systems aimed at ensuring the security of the ICT systems
 there are appropriate capital investment control guidelines and formal project management disciplines
 the State Laboratory ensures that there is an appropriate focus on good practice in purchasing and that procedures are in place to ensure
compliance with all relevant guidelines.
Following a malware attack in July 2015, contingency procedures were in operation for a period of fourteen weeks.
Internal Audit and Audit Committee
I confirm that the State Laboratory has an internal audit function with appropriately trained personnel, which operates in accordance with a written
charter which I have approved. Its work is informed by analysis of the financial risks to which the State Laboratory is exposed and its annual internal audit
plans, approved by me, are based on this analysis. These plans aim to cover the key controls on a rolling basis over a reasonable period. The internal audit
function is reviewed periodically by me and by the Audit Committee. I have put procedures in place to ensure that the reports of the internal audit
function are followed up.
___________________
Ita Kinahan,
Accounting Officer, State Laboratory
29 March 2016
APPENDIX I
Statement by the Accounting Officer on
Internal Financial Control

22
APPENDIX II
Meetings and Conferences
attended by State Laboratory staff
Meetings and Conferences attended by State Laboratory staff
The State Laboratory services EU and other international committees at the request of its client Departments. Laboratory personnel also participate in the work
of other international expert scientific bodies and conferences. The following list indicates the range of committee work undertaken by State Laboratory
personnel and the meetings and conferences attended during 2015.
 Codex Alimentarius Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS) session in Budapest, Hungary
 Codex Alimentarius CCMAS EU Working Party meeting in Brussels
 Eurachem General Assembly in Warsaw, Poland
 Three meetings of Eurachem Ireland Committee in Dublin
 21st Meeting of the Consultative Committee on Quantity of Material: Metrology in Chemistry (CCQM), BIPM, Sevres, France
 Three meetings of ISO/CASCO, WG44 on the Revision of ISO17025 in Geneva
 CEN (European Committee for Standardization)
 13th
and 14th
meetings of CEN Technical Committee TC/327 WG4 on Heavy Metals, Trace Elements and Minerals in Animal Feedingstuffs, Brussels
 17th
meeting of CEN Technical Committee TC/327 WG3 on Feed Additives and Drugs in Brussels
 3rd
and 4th
meetings of CEN Technical Committee TC/327 WG5 Natural Toxins in Animal Feed, Brussels
 Meetings of European Union Reference Laboratories (EURL) and National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) networks
 4th Workshop of the EURL for Feed Additives (EURL-FA) in Geel, Belgium
 10th
Workshop of the EURL for Heavy Metals (JRC - Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements) in Brussels
 10th
Workshop of the EURL for Mycotoxins (JRC - Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements) in Brussels
 Two workshops of the EURL for Dioxins/PCBs in Feed and Food in Lisbon, Portugal and Wageningen, The Netherlands
 Workshop of the EURL for Veterinary Drug Residues (RIKILT - Institute of Food Safety) in Wageningen, Netherlands
 The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (TIAFT) Conference in Florence, Italy
 Two meetings of UK & Ireland Forensic Toxicology Network (UKIAFT) in London and Bournemouth
 European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI) Drugs Working Group Conference in Dublin
 Conference on New Psychoactive Substances in Munich, Germany
 “Nanolytica” - Workshop on Nanotechnology in Wageningen, The Netherlands
 Perkin Elmer UK/Ireland ICP MS Users Group meeting in London
 ThermoScientific Trace Element Analysis Users Group meeting in Dublin
 Irish Mass Spectrometry Society Conference in Dublin
 Digital Government Conference in Dublin
 Novosco Conference on Data Centre Disasters in Dublin
 PETFEC (Petroleum, Refining, Environmental Monitoring Technologies) Conference in Antwerp
 Meeting of the Energy Institute TMS Group on the Analysis of Accutrace S10 Fuel Marker in London
 Workshop on Economic Tariff Questions (Autonomous Tariff Suspensions and Quotas) in Copenhagen, Denmark
 Customs Laboratories European Network (CLEN) Steering Group Plenary meeting in Brussels
 Two meetings of the CLEN Project Group on Designer Drugs and other illicit products in Lisbon, Portugal and Brussels
 Meeting of the CLEN Textiles Group in Vilnius, Lithuania
Attended on behalf of Revenue
 Meeting of the Scientific Sub-Committee of the World Customs Organisation in Brussels
 Three meetings of the Customs Code Committee, Tariff and Statistical Nomenclature Section (Agriculture/Chemical Sector) in Brussels
 Two meetings of the Project Group concerning the Chemical Chapters of the HS/CN in Brussels
 Two meetings of the Project Group concerning the Chapter 22 of the HS/CN in Brussels
 Meeting of the Project Group concerning the Chapters 27, 38 and 40 of the HS/CN in Brussels
Attended on behalf of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
 Three meetings of the Economic Tariff Questions Group (Duty Suspensions) in Brussels
 Two meetings of the Commission Expert Group on Textile Names and Labelling in Brussels

23
Conference & Seminar Presentations by State Laboratory staff
 Presentation entitled “An Overview of the State Laboratory and its Elemental Analysis Applications” at the ThermoScientific Trace Elemental
Analysis Users Group meeting in Dublin
 Presentation on “A Modern Approach to Human Drug Residue Analysis” at ENFSI Conference in Dublin
Seminars and Workshops organised by State Laboratory staff
The State Laboratory is the Irish member of Eurachem, a network of organisations in Europe having the objective of establishing a system for the
international traceability of chemical measurements and the promotion of good quality practices. The State Laboratory provides the Secretariat for
Eurachem Ireland which promotes Eurachem objectives in Ireland, including good quality practices, and it facilitates networking among Irish analytical
chemistry labs from the public, private and education sectors.
A new Eurachem Ireland committee was established in December 2014 and in 2015 a new website (www.statelab.ie/eurachem.html) was launched
and a LinkedIn group created. Eurachem Ireland supports the TrainMiC®
programme and organised a Eurachem Ireland TrainMiC®
workshop, which took
place on World Accreditation Day, 9 June 2015.
APPENDIX III
Conference & Seminar Presentations
by State Laboratory staff
Eurachem Ireland TrainMiC®
workshop at the State Laboratory

24
APPENDIX IV
Irish National Accreditation Board Accredited Tests
Summary of Schedule of Accreditation (Edition 19: 12/10/2015) *
* For further details, see our schedule of accreditation (Reg. No. 146T) on the INAB website (www.inab.ie).

Matrix Measurand Test Method Method ID
Animal Feedstuffs Crude Protein EN ISO 16634-1:2008. Nitrogen content by consumption by the
Dumas Principle.
LSD A032
Animal Feedstuffs Crude Oils and Fats EU Commission Regulation 152/2009 Annex III (H). LSD A023
Animal Feedstuffs Crude Oils and Fats NIR Spectroscopy. LSD A031
Animal Feedstuffs Crude Fibre EU Commission Regulation 152/2009 Annex III (I). LSD A024
Animal Feedstuffs Crude Fibre NIR Spectroscopy Screening Method. LSD A031
Animal Feedstuffs Crude Ash In house method based on EU Commission Regulation 152/2009
Annex III (M).
LSD A026
Animal Feedstuffs Crude Ash Gravimetric method using a Microwave Furnace. LSD A030
Animal Feedstuffs Ash Insoluble in HCl EU Commission Regulation 152/2009 Annex III (N). LSD A034
Animal Feedstuffs Moisture EU Commission Regulation 152/2009 Annex III (A). LSD A027
Animal Feedstuffs Macro and Trace Elements (8) IS EN 15621:2012. ICP OES with Microwave Digestion. LSD A060
Animal Feedstuffs Heavy Metals (6) ICPMS with Microwave Digestion. LSD A062
Animal Feedstuffs Nicarbazin In House HPLC method with DAD, based on IS EN 15782:2009. LSD A050
Animal Feedstuffs Monensin, Narasin and Salinomycin EN ISO 14183: HPLC with post column derivatisation. LSD A051
Animal Feedstuffs Coccidiostats (11) In house LCMSMS Method. LSD A052
Animal Feedstuffs Antibiotics (14) In house LCMSMS Method. LSD A053
Animal Feedstuffs Chlortetracycline In House HPLC method with DAD LSD A072
Animal Feedstuffs Sulphadenazine In House HPLC method with DAD LSD A076
Fertilisers Nitrogen Content Nitrogen content by consumption by Dumas Principle.
In house method based on AOAC official method 993.13.
LSD A036
Drugs Flexible Scope (Analyte and Range)
Identification and Quantification of
pharmaceuticals samples
In house method using HPLC –DAD. Complies with relevant
requirements of OJEC 2002/657/EC, ICH guideline Q2 (R1), Q2B and
Q6A and monographs from British, European and US Pharmacopoeia.
LSD J012
Drugs Identification of Pharmaceutical
Samples (3)
Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Vardenafil
In house QTOF LCMS method based on the requirements of
Commission Decision 2002/657/EC, ICH guideline Q2 (R1), Q6A and
monographs from British, European and US Pharmacopoeia.
LSD J043
Drugs
Flexible Scope (Analyte and Range)
Identification of Pharmaceutical
Samples
In house QTOF LCMS method based on the requirements of
Commission Decision 2002/657/EC, ICH guideline Q2 (R1), Q6A and
monographs from British, European and US Pharmacopoeia.
LSD J044
Milk (Liquid &
Powder)
Aflatoxin M1 Based on an EU/STM method. Extraction and IA column clean-up. RP
HPLC with fluorescence detection.
LSD J025
Animal Feedstuffs Aflatoxin B1 Based on an EU/STM method. Extraction and IA column clean-up. RP
HPLC with fluorescence detection.
LSD J024
Liver Ochratoxin A In house method using IA column cleanup and RP HPLC with
fluorescence detection.
LSD J026

25
APPENDIX IV
Irish National Accreditation Board Accredited Tests
Summary of Schedule of Accreditation (Edition 19: 12/10/2015) *
* For further details, see our schedule of accreditation (Reg. No. 146T) on the INAB website (www.inab.ie).
Lettuce, Spinach and
Cabbage
Nitrates In house based on EN12014-2:1997-04. Anion exchange
chromatography following extraction and clean-up.
LSD M062
Food and Feed Dioxins and Dioxin-like PCBs (35) In House GC/HRMS method. LSD V052
Animal Feedstuffs Mycotoxins (11) In house Multi Analyte LCMSMS method LSD J038
Pure starches,
Animal feed, Foods,
Petfoods
Starch EU Commission Regulation 152/2009 Annex III (L); polarimetric
method (Ewers principle).
LSD R013
Alcoholic Drinks Alcoholic Strength by Volume In house using a density meter following distillation. LSD B010
Gas Oil C.I. Solvent Yellow 124 In house method. Determination by HPLC. LSD H009
Meat and Meat
Products
Nitrogen ISO 937:1978, Kjeldahl Method. LSD R030
Meat and Meat
Products
Hydroxyproline ISO 3496 – 1994: In house method based on ISO 3496. LSD R018
Blood & Urine Ethanol In house method. Determination by internal standard
quantitation using Headspace GC with FID.
LSD T003
Animal Urine Flexible Scope (Matrices, Residues
and Ranges)
Steroids (17)
In house method by LCMSMS meeting requirements of Council
Directive 96/23/EC (2002/657/EC).
LSD V031
Animal Serum Flexible Scope (Matrices, Residues
and Ranges)
Steroids (6)
Directive 96/23/EC (2002/657/EC).
LSD V046
Poultry Liver Flexible Scope (Matrices, Residues
and Ranges)
Steroids (11)
In house method by LCMSMS requirements of Council
Directive 96/23/EC (2002/657/EC).
LSD V061
Animal Serum Flexible Scope (Matrices, Residues
and Ranges)
Nitroimidazoles (7),
Chloramphenicol
Directive 96/23/EC (2002/657/EC).
LSD V038
Eggs Flexible Scope (Matrices, Residues
and Ranges)
Chloramphenicol
Directive 96/23/EC (2002/657/EC).
LSD V049
Honey Flexible Scope (Matrices, Residues
and Ranges)
Chloramphenicol
Directive 96/23/EC (2002/657/EC).
LSD V063
Milk Flexible Scope (Matrices, Residues
and Ranges)
Chloramphenicol
Directive 96/23/EC (2002/657/EC).
LSD V064
Animal Plasma
and Milk
Flexible Scope (Matrices, Residues
and Ranges)
Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory
Drugs (11, 9)
Directive 96/23/EC (2002/657/EC).
LSD V039
Animal Kidney Flexible Scope (Matrices, Residues
and Ranges)
Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory
Drugs (12)
Directive 96/23/EC (2002/657/EC).
LSD V068
Animal Kidney Fat Flexible Scope (Matrices, Residues
and Ranges)
Gestagens (5)
Directive 96/23/EC (2002/657/EC).
LSD V033
Urine Flexible Scope (Matrices, Residues
and Ranges)
Corticosteroids (5)
Directive 96/23/EC (2002/657/EC).
LSD V058
Animal Kidney Flexible Scope (Matrices, Residues
and Ranges)
Sedatives (8)
Directive 96/23/EC (2002/657/EC).
LSD V067
Matrix Measurand Test Method Method ID

26
APPENDIX V
Energy Use Statement
Energy Use Statement
In 2015, the gross energy consumption by the State Laboratory was as follows:
 Electricity 2,263,631 kWh
 Gas 3,464,209 kWh
 Total 5,727,840 kWh
The total gross energy consumption value compares with a baseline value (2006-2008) of 7,346,772 kWh. Consequently, the Laboratory’s energy
performance indicator (EnPI) for 2015 is 29% better than baseline, which uses total useable floor area (TUFA) as the relevant metric for the Laboratory.
This is in-line with the national energy efficiency target set by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), where Public Bodies must improve their
energy efficiency by 33% by 2020.
The reduction in energy consumption to date has been achieved by the following measures:
 reducing the number of air changes per hour in the laboratories to the minimum required to ensure a safe work environment for staff;
 reducing the flow on air-handling and extraction systems outside of working hours;
 installing individual switches on fume cupboards to allow users to control their operation more efficiently; and
 engaging staff to reduce unnecessary energy consumption on a day to day basis.
In late 2015, the Laboratory upgraded its nitrogen generation system and replaced its air compressors. The upgrade works incorporated a heat
exchanger to recover waste heat from the air compressors and this should reduce energy requirements and CO2 emissions in the future.

27

STATE CHEMIST
ITA KINAHAN

Principal Chemist
Dr. Paula Shearan

Principal Chemist
Barbara O’Leary

Customs & Excise
Dr. Siobhán Ní Ghríofa

Animal Feedingstuffs
Eileen McCarron

Human Toxicology
Dr. Yvonne Kavanagh

Contaminants
Dr. Liam Regan

Information Technology
& Health
Joanne O’Shea

Corporate Services
Nuala Talty

Quality Assurance &
Environment
Dr. Gráinne Carroll

Veterinary Toxicology
Dr. Ed Malone

MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

APPENDIX VI
Organisation Chart
(as at 31st
December 2015)

28
State Chemist
Ita Kinahan
Principal Chemist
Barbara O’Leary Dr. Paula Shearan
Senior Chemist
Dr. Gráinne Carroll
Dr. Yvonne Kavanagh
Dr. Ed Malone
Eileen McCarron
Dr. Siobhán Ní Ghríofa
Joanne O’Shea
Dr. Liam Regan
Chemist Grade II
Dr. Pierrick Fevrier
Dr. John Fields
Dr. Seán McGowan
Eddie McGrath
Audrey Nugent
Ruth Reilly
Dr. David Savage
Dr. Julie Tierney
Claire Timbs
Mairéad Webster
Technical Information Manager Grade II
Dr. Michael O'Gorman
Chemist
Ann Marie Bragason
Dr. Helen Burke
Dr. Helen Cantwell
Dr. Jonathan Carroll
Paula Clarke
Dr. Eleanor Dixon
Dr. Geraldine Dowling
Michael Doyle
Niamh Fitzgerald
Joe Fitzsimons
Lynda Harman
Ray Kelly
Myra Keogh
Úna McArdle
Dr. Mark McDonald
Dr. Amy Nagle
Olivia O'Connor
Sharon O'Keeffe
Dr. Colmán Ó Ríordáin
John Reilly
Patrick Saunders
Senior Laboratory Analyst
Judith Boyle
Sheevaun Cody
Angela Cunningham
Laura Flynn
Fiona Gallagher
Marella Gallagher
Carol Gleeson
Bernard Hanratty
Tom Harbison
Ciara McDonnell
Noreen Monahan
Aengus Ó Briain
Laboratory Analyst
Sinéad Bermingham
David Canny
Patricia Carter
Simon Daly
Madeleine Gibbons
Johanna Gilligan
Sheila Martin
Vicky MacEoin
Alan Murphy
Colm Reid
Denis Ryan
Sinéad Ryan
Dennis Sheehan
Fiona White
Laboratory Attendant
Simon Chiu
Tom Gaule
Mark Keane
John Moylan
Declan Powell
Corporate Services
Nuala Talty - Assistant Principal
Pat Fannin - Higher Executive Officer
Mary Quine - Higher Executive Officer
Phyllis Barry - Staff Officer
John Clancy - Staff Officer
Damien Duffy - Clerical Officer
Elizabath Ellard - Clerical Officer
Geraldine Gaffney - Clerical Officer
Paul Hirtes - Clerical Officer
Niamh Kenny - Clerical Officer
Derek Martin - Clerical Officer
Nicola Seery - Clerical Officer
ICT
John Burke - Administrative Officer
APPENDIX VII
Staff List
By Grade (as at 31st
December 2015)

Annual Report 2015 State Lab

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

What's hot

What's hot (20)

Viewers also liked

Viewers also liked (17)

Similar to Annual Report 2015 State Lab

Similar to Annual Report 2015 State Lab (20)

Annual Report 2015 State Lab