Major honour as Carlow native lands top job at Ireland’s environmental watchdog

A Carlow native has been appointed to one of the most powerful roles in Irish environmental protection.

Dr Eimear Cotter has been named as the new Director General of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), following Government approval of her appointment this week.

She will take up the role from March 8 for a seven-year term.

The appointment was confirmed by Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien, who said Dr Cotter has “a proven track record as a public servant committed to the protection of our environment”.

“She will bring a broad range of experience to the Executive Board of the Agency. I am confident that Dr Cotter will make a valuable contribution to the work of the Agency and in addressing the many challenges ahead,” he said.

Dr Cotter is originally from Carlow and has been a Director within the EPA since 2017. More recently, she has served as Deputy Director General since May 2025.

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During her time with the EPA, she led the Office of Evidence and Assessment, with responsibility for climate issues including carbon emissions trading, water management, environmental research and data analytics.

She previously served as Director of the Office of Environmental Sustainability, which included responsibility for environmental licensing.

The EPA is the State body tasked with protecting people and the environment from pollution and radiation, and plays a key role in environmental regulation and enforcement across Ireland. The Agency is managed by a full-time Executive Board, made up of a Director General and five Directors.

Dr Cotter holds a BA in chemistry from Trinity College Dublin, a PhD in atmospheric chemistry from Oxford University and an MBA from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.

She is also a board member of the Institute of Art, Design and Technology and was named a 2019 Eisenhower Fellow.