State Laboratory Annual Report 2024

With pleasure, I present this annual report, marking another year of growth for the State Laboratory alongside steadfast commitment to excellence in service delivery. As demand for our work continues to rise, we remain dedicated to upholding the highest standards of customer service while strategically investing in the ongoing development of our staff and expertise. This approach has ensured that we not only meet our current needs but are building capacity to thrive in an evolving environment. Delivery of service to our clients remains our key focus with our annual Customer Satisfaction Survey indicating over 81% satisfaction with all attributes of the service clients received in 2024, namely: Quality of Service, Timeliness, Flexibility and Quality of Advice. Marking our Centenary year throughout 2024 meant several opportunities to not only showcase the current work of the Laboratory but also reflect on past achievements and advances in expertise throughout the past 100 years. Staff past and present, clients and stakeholders, gathered at the Centenary Conference in Dublin Castle in April which was a wonderful opportunity to reminisce, take stock of achievements and look towards a bright and challenging future. I extend my gratitude to all who undertook the collaborative effort of honouring 100 years of the legacy of the Laboratory. The State Laboratory Strategy 2024 - 2034 was launched at the end of the Centenary Conference, marking out a clear roadmap of goals to be achieved to meet our refreshed vision of “Excellence in Chemistry” and providing an ambitious set of aspirations for the next decade. Innovation underpins our commitment to excellence, enabling us to meet emerging challenges. Development of expertise in our staff remains vital to harnessing the full potential of the leading-edge technology we continue to invest in at the Laboratory. Investment in both continuous professional growth and advanced instrumentation ensures our position at the forefront of excellence in analytical chemistry and the evolving needs of our clients. This report outlines the breadth of the work of the State Laboratory and highlights the key achievements of 2024. I extend my appreciation to our staff for their unwavering dedication. Their commitment to innovation, coupled with professionalism has been instrumental to our progress. I offer sincere thanks to all who have contributed to the Laboratory’s continued success over the past year.

Barbara O'Leary

State Chemist

In 2024, 16,241 samples were received and tested for 1,275,162 analytes, a 7% increase in the number of samples received for analysis and a 10% increase in the number of analytes tested compared to 2023. Analytical chemistry is a continually evolving science 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 are regularly updated to reflect technological developments and the Laboratory must continually update and improve its methods of analysis. These technological developments are the reason for the large increase in analytes tested. In 2024, new methods of analysis were developed and existing methods were extended so that 39 new tests were introduced, using a variety of analytical techniques. The Laboratory has an important advisory function and its staff act as the Irish representatives at EU scientific committees and technical Working Groups on behalf of a range of Government Departments and Public Sector Bodies. Laboratory staff also actively participate and represent Ireland as national experts in international bodies such as, the EU working group on methods of analysis for animal feeds, the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN), Eurachem, EURL PFAS Core Working Group, and EURL BFRs Core Working Group. The Laboratory provides the secretariat to the Expert Laboratory Advisory Group and the Public Sector Laboratory Group. This annual report details the implementation of the State Laboratory's Strategy Statement for 2024 and highlights the Laboratory's main activities and achievements under each Strategic Goal.

Overview - Number of Samples

At the State Laboratory, we recognise our staff as our greatest asset. Our success depends on having the right people, with the right skills and expertise, in the right roles at the right time. We continually develop expertise in chemistry, guided by our exceptional leaders who embody our values, foster our culture, and drive high performance. We take pride in our talented, diverse, skilled, and motivated workforce that thrives in a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive environment. As part of our strategy, we have embedded a dedication to nurturing a positive and inclusive culture where everyone is treated with dignity and respect and feels valued as part of the State Laboratory.

Collaboration

Staff recognise the value in leveraging the skills of their peers in order to ensure their work is of the highest standard. Regular collaboration between sections manifests in sharing of equipment, training and troubleshooting. Fundamentally, collaboration is vital to ensure the smooth operation of the Laboratory, with collective groups supporting LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) and Quality as well as many staff willingly giving of their time to lab-wide functions.

Expertise

Following the period of growth reported in prior years, there emerged a necessity for a significant programme of in-house training and professional development. With emphasis on the development of less experienced staff, training and peer support focused on skills in Laboratory Fundamentals; Quality Assurance and Control; Health and Chemical Safety Awareness; Method Development and Validation; Statistics, Leadership and Management; Instrumentation; Sample Analysis and Preparation; Batch Processing; Batch Reviewing; and Client Reporting. During the year, staff leveraged their wider network to visit clients, other laboratories and lean on professional networks to improve knowledge and skillsets and then report that back to colleagues. Staff were also involved in the delivery of three Mass Spectrometry Collaboration Seminars to internal colleagues and peer organisations, which were focused on encouraging collaboration and knowledge sharing learning.

Research and Innovation

New methods continued to be developed and validated during 2024, including a number of novel analytical methods that react to the needs of our clients’ requirements under emerging legislation. A number of staff have commenced postgraduate degrees by research. These include areas such as: Practices for the determination of geographical indications in whiskey; A high-resolution mass spectrometry method for drugs and their metabolites; Development of GC-MSMS methods for the analysis of hazardous chemicals in e-liquids, including CMR compounds, and development of State Laboratory Annual Report 2024 gravimetric methods for determination of volume of e-liquids in disposable vaping devices; Development and validation of a semi/nontargeted screening method for animal feedingstuffs by LC_HRMS.

Staffing

In 2024, there continued to be an emphasis on recruitment and filling vacancies due to the expansion on service provision, retirements, and other staff movements that occurred during the year. At the end of December 2024, the Laboratory had 137 staff, 135.9 Whole Time Equivalents (WTE). Nineteen staff joined the State Laboratory during 2024. Six Chemists Grade III, one Engineer Grade II, one EO ICT, one HEO Finance, two HEO HR, four Laboratory Analysts, three Laboratory Attendants and one Professional Accountant Grade II were recruited following open competitions undertaken by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) and Sigmar Recruitment. Overall, 95% of staff have changed role in the past five years through recruitment, promotion or mobility.

Civil Service Employee Engagement Survey

The response rate for the State Laboratory was 77%. Results from the survey became available in September 2024. This strong response rate will enable management to respond to staff views and will inform strategic decisions. The most impactful themes will be explored further in staff workshops.

The State Laboratory is designated as Ireland’s National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for parameters such as nutritional additives for use in animal feed, specific classes of veterinary drug residues in food of animal origin and contaminants such as persistent organic pollutants, mycotoxins, plant toxins and heavy metals in feed and/or food. This NRL role not only involves collaborating with European Union Reference Laboratories (EURL) but also participating in core working groups to improve analytical methods and testing capabilities, providing scientific and technical assistance to the competent authorities and, where necessary, coordinating the activities of official laboratories. The State Laboratory carries out testing for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), in partnership with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI). National sampling and surveillance programmes are part of a system of official controls and inspections, ensuring the highest standards of food and feed safety. In 2024, the value of Irish food and drink exports was €17 billion. Food Vision 2030 fosters expansion of primary production and export trade. The demand for Laboratory services to analyse a variety of foods, drinks and animal feedingstuffs for a wide range of substances continues to grow.

Animal Feedingstuffs

Animal feed is one of the most important components of the production chain of food of animal origin and has an impact on animal health and productivity as well as on food safety and quality. The State Laboratory is the principal laboratory responsible for feedingstuffs chemical analysis in Ireland. Samples of feed materials, feed additives, mineral mixtures and compound feeds are routinely tested for regulatory compliance. This testing is to ensure that the samples contain the declared nutrients (protein, fat and minerals), micro-nutrients (trace elements, vitamins), ash, fibre and moisture contents and do not contain elevated levels of toxic components (heavy metals, fluorine, melamine). Techniques used include gravimetry, spectroscopy (ICPOES, ICPMS) and chromatography (HPLC, LCMS).

Medicated Feed

Medicated feed formulations are used mainly for administering a veterinary drug to animals reared in large groups such as a flock of birds or a group of pigs, where many animals need to be treated at the same time. The Laboratory tests feed samples for authorised veterinary medicines and coccidiostats to ensure that the correct therapeutic levels are present. The Laboratory also tests for the presence of low levels of fourteen banned or prescription only antibiotics in a range of feeds. Development and validation work commenced on an LCMS/MS method to test for crosscontamination levels of authorised antibiotics in feed. The analysis of carryover levels of eleven coccidiostats in rations destined for non-target species requires additional precautions to be implemented including a separate area for the grinding of premixes and additional cleaning procedures between samples. A number of priority samples were submitted in 2024 relating to suspected copper toxicity in sheep, as sheep are highly susceptible to copper poisoning.

Fertiliser and Limestone

The State Laboratory is Ireland's designated laboratory for ensuring that fertilisers placed on the market comply with EU legislation. Fertilisers and liming materials 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. EU Regulation 2019/1009 covers all types of fertilisers (mineral, organic, soil improvers, growing media etc.) and sets harmonised limits for a range of contaminants, such as cadmium, in mineral fertilisers. The National Liming Programme was introduced by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in 2023 to incentivise the use of lime. The validation of an ICPOES method for analysis of cadmium and phosphorous commenced in 2024 and will possibly be extended to include other heavy metals such as arsenic, lead and mercury. A method for the analysis of n-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) and n-(n-propyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NPPT) in fertilisers was set up in 2024. These urease inhibitors, which have the potential to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (ammonia and nitrogen dioxide), are increasingly being added to fertilisers to protect the environment. However, there is uncertainty around the stability of these products during storage and thus there is a need to be able to monitor the levels present in fertilisers on the market. A number of limestone samples were submitted in 2024 for licencing purposes. Where limestone samples submitted for new licence applications are to be evaluated under EU legislation, the total calcium and total magnesium content is determined. State Laboratory Annual Report 2024 .

Veterinary Drug Residues

As part of the National Residue Control Plan (NRCP), quantitative confirmatory analysis was carried out on over 2600 samples of foods of animal origin. Several additional samples had expedited turnaround times, as part of follow-on investigations carried out by the Competent Authority, following detections in samples of kidney and samples of milk. Legislative and performance requirements as set out in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/808 requires a comprehensive programme of re-validation of all test methods by June 2026. In 2024, three methods successfully underwent re-validation, all of which included significant improvements to the methods detection capabilities for the substances involved. As part of this work, two methods were combined into one, to streamline processes and improve batch efficiency.

Ten new analytes were also added to the scope of analysis for these methods. This work will be added to the Laboratory’s accreditation under flexible scope in early 2025.

Border Control Post (BCP)

As per Commission Implementing Regulation (CIR) 2022/1646, Member States of the European Union (EU) must implement a national risk-based control plan for food producing animals/products of animal original entering the Union from third-country imports. The United Kingdom is now considered as a third country with respect to this legislation. This has resulted in a vast increase in the number of imported goods being classified as third-country imports. With no methods readily available for the analysis of certain matrix/substance combinations, significant efforts to develop appropriate methods were undertaken to support the work of DAFM NDCC Surveillance and Import Control Policy Division. This work involved the extension of scope of existing methods to allow for the analysis of additional milk products, including flavoured milks, shakes and powders. A new comprehensive multiresidue method was developed for the quantitative and confirmatory determination of over 40 veterinary drug residues from several substance groups, in poultry meat preparation and products, and beef muscle. Samples requiring analysis using this new methodology were received towards the end of 2024 and will be analysed in early 2025.

Contaminants and Dioxins

Following the introduction of the European Union Contaminants Control Plan (CCP) in 2023, for analysis of dioxins and PCBs and analysis of perfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS), testing was further expanded with the addition of formula as a matrix to the PFAS by LC-MSMS method. Analysis of formula samples for the EU Monitoring Recommendation 2022/1431 on monitoring of perfluoroalkyl substances in food began in Q4 2024. A method is being developed for analysis of PFAS in animal feed, to provide analysis to support an EU Monitoring Recommendation that is currently being drafted. State Laboratory Annual Report 2024

Mycotoxins

In 2024, samples of animal feedingstuffs for analysis of mycotoxins continued to exceed the anticipated sample numbers for the year. Over 6% of these samples were priority samples, for which a significantly shorter turnaround time was required and achieved. A new LC-MS/MS instrument was commissioned in 2024 for use for the analysis of mycotoxins in animal feedingstuffs, and for patulin in fruit juices. Three samples of leafy, green vegetables (mainly Rucola, or “Rocket”) were reported with nitrates at levels in excess of legislative values. Official analysis of animal feedingstuffs for levels of delta-9 THC and CBD commenced in 2024 as requested by DAFM FFGPD.

Food and Feed Safety - Number of Samples Tested

The State Laboratory continues to support Revenue in ensuring that the correct customs duties are collected on traded goods by providing a comprehensive tariff classification advisory service. Assisting with the calculation of excise taxes, the laboratory tests samples of alcoholic beverages and fuel oils for a wide range of parameters. Revenue has a key strategic priority to tackle noncompliance, ensuring the correct customs duties are collected on traded goods. The State Laboratory supports this goal by providing a comprehensive tariff classification advisory service and testing samples of alcoholic beverages as well as fuel oils for a wide range of parameters. Staff are equipped to provide expert testimony, scientific evidence and analytical results to support court prosecutions and other enforcement activities. Irish whiskey has a strong value and market. The State Laboratory is developing an analytical testing service to support Geographical Indication (GI) authentication of Irish whiskey. This means that only whiskey that meets these specifications could be labelled and sold as Irish whiskey in accordance with strict technical specifications.

Customs and Excise

The State Laboratory provides an advisory service to assist Revenue in administering the customs regime on behalf of the EU, for the control of imports and exports, the movement of excisable products and collection of duties and levies. A new Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) instrument has expanded analytical capacity for this type of work.

Combatting Illict Trade

In January 2024, Accutrace Plus was introduced as the new Euromarker (S.I. No. 592 of 2023). This required a method to be developed and validated for its determination using a new and innovative technique, GCxGC-TOFMS. This work will assist the identification of rebated fuels by the presence or absence of the fiscal markers. Developing this method was a key strategic goal for the laboratory for the 2023-2026 period. Despite a 20% increase in sample submission compared to 2023, the 1499 samples received in 2024 were analysed within agreed turnaround times targets; 126 priority samples were included requiring urgent analysis. In the last quarter of the year, the section supported Revenue’s Customs Service in an intelligence-led operation investigating two filling stations in Co. Meath and Co. Roscommon suspected to sell laundered fuel. Two urgent samples were analysed on the day of receipt and found to contain fiscal markers. This ability to be flexible and to quickly provide same day results, allowed Revenue Customs Officers to search both premises under warrant and to State Laboratory Annual Report 2024 consequently seize 38,000 litres of illegal fuel. In addition, the section provided support to the Revenue Mobile Detection Technologies Unit for the elaboration and evaluation of their tender for the provision of fuel analysis systems. In 2024, the section also continued to assist Revenue to determine the excise duty payable on alcohol-containing products, monitor compliance and combat excise duty fraud and the production and distribution of counterfeit spirits. 299 alcohol products were received and mainly tested for alcohol content. In addition, and where required, congener profiling and testing for authenticity indicators were carried out. A small number of samples containing non-potable alcohol were also tested for denaturants. Another important role the section carries out is providing analytical evidence to facilitate court prosecutions when necessary. In this matter, the section developed a new procedure to document chain of custody for enforcement samples based on barcode labels scanning recorded via LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System). The section also provides the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), as the controlling authority, an analytical testing service to support GI authentication for Irish Whiskey and Irish Poteen. In 2024, 49 whiskey samples were analysed and profiled for 13 volatile alcoholic congeners by GC-MS.

Revenue Collection and Fraud Prevention - Number of Samples Tested

Post-mortem samples are tested at the State Laboratory for a wide range of prescription medicines and illegal drugs. This work, on behalf of the Coroners Service and the Office of the State Pathologist is a continuous area of growth. Samples are routinely analysed for approximately 170 drugs. Toxicant testing services are provided to DAFM to support investigations into large-scale poisoning incidents on farms and to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in relation to the illegal poisoning of wildlife, especially re-introduced birds of prey. This involves the analysis of a wide range of toxicants and veterinary drug residues in biological samples.

Human Toxicology Redesign

The Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform gave the State Laboratory sanction in July 2023 for 10 additional staff to address the backlogs and increased turnaround times in our forensic analytical and toxicology service, which arose from a significant annual increase in sample numbers from 2020. The aim of this redesign is to return to processing 90% of samples within 93 days. In May, a project to redesign the Human Toxicology forensic analysis services was completed with the introduction of 3 distinct sections, working together. Human Toxicology Drugs and Alcohol (HTD&A) and Human Toxicology High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HTHRMS) provide the analytical testing and analysis while Human Toxicology Case Management (HTCM) manages sample reception, testing allocation, reporting and overarching case support, including engagement with the client. The HTHRMS Section completes initial screening of all samples. Negative results are forwarded for reporting without further analyses. Positive samples are further analysed by the HTDA Section. Staff have engaged in a rigorous programme of training in order to increase the expertise across the section. The redesign also implemented efficiency and improvement projects to streamline the delivery of results. State Laboratory Annual Report 2024 HTCM works closely with the coroners to provide realistic timelines for scheduling of inquests and to assist with any queries they may have around the investigation and on how best to progress the toxicology investigations. Continued engagement with our clients has increased awareness in the area of post-mortem toxicology sample collection, storage and analytical requests.

Unknown Substances

Samples were received for unknown screening following a suspected overdose. Screening by HRLCMS (carried out by the HTHRMS section) detected the presence of clobromazolam – a designer benzodiazepine never detected in Ireland before, and the HTDA Section was asked to develop a confirmatory method using LCMSMS. Since this analyte was not part of the existing method, the LCMS had to be tuned accordingly, and this process served as a valuable training opportunity for analytical staff on tuning new analytes. A research project was initiated to develop a method capable of measuring low levels of the extremely potent Novel Psychoactive Substances, nitazenes. Samples may also be screened for ‘unknowns’ and the Laboratory maintains a database of reference compounds for comparison. This database is updated regularly from information gathered at National and International Conferences, and by participation in toxicology working groups, where new drug alerts and emerging trends are highlighted. 73 analytes were added to the unknown screen in 2024.

Toxicants In Wildlife

A number of priority samples were received following suspected poisonings including a number of cases involving white-tailed sea eagles, which are a species that are involved in multiple re-introduction projects in efforts to bolster the eagle population in Ireland. Nitroxynil and carbofuran continue to be detected in these and other birds of prey. Samples were submitted for flocoumafen in milk analysis. As part of our strategic goals, a review of the RAPTOR protocol between State Laboratory, NPWS and DAFM Veterinary Laboratory Services which began in 2023 aiming for all parties to provide better support for court prosecution samples continued in 2024, with final sign-off expected in early 2025.

The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) plays a central role in safeguarding public and animal health by regulating the use of human and veterinary medicines. The Investigations Division of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) oversees the responsible use of veterinary products on farms, ensuring consumer safety and the integrity of the food supply chain. The State Laboratory conducts forensic testing on seized pharmaceutical, herbal, and veterinary products to detect active ingredients. Where prosecutions arise, the Laboratory provides testimony related to the analysis. Hemp cultivation in Ireland is strictly regulated and may only proceed under HPRA licence. To enforce legal THC limits (not exceeding 0.3%), at least 30% of licensed crop areas must be inspected. The State Laboratory supports DAFM by analysing THC content in hemp samples and by testing CBD products intercepted by Revenue Customs Officers. In line with EU legislation, the Department of Health has designated the State Laboratory as the national reference laboratory for tobacco product testing. The Laboratory measures tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide levels in cigarettes and ensures e-liquids and related devices comply with the Tobacco Products Directive (2014/40/EU). This work directly supports the HSE Tobacco Control Network Support Unit and reinforces Ireland’s public health policy.

Medicinal Products

Fifteen analytes were added to the scope of accreditation for seized medicinal products that are tested on behalf of HPRA and DAFM Investigations Division. Three other analytes which were not possible to test by the accredited methods were also validated using alternate methods that currently do not fall under our scope of accreditation. Counterfeit weight loss drugs continue to be seized regularly. Semaglutide and Liraglutide were added to the scope of accreditation during 2024, and more similar compounds are expected to be added during 2025, e.g. Retatrutide and Tirzepatide. Method development also began for analysis of Melanotan II.

Tobacco & E-Liquids

There was a 75% increase in the number of eliquid samples submitted for analysis for the HSE Tobacco Control Network Support Unit, compared to the figures for 2023. Nicotine concentrations are often greater than the limit specified in the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD). In at least 4 cases, European Safety RAPEX alerts (Rapid Alert System in EU for Dangerous Non-Food Products) were raised by the HSE based on analytical results. Drop tests to assess breakage and leakage across 9 different products were completed on State Laboratory Annual Report 2024 new vaping devices, with in excess of 2 ml of liquid, with findings communicated to the HSE. The various tobacco laboratory networks have not yet reached consensus on identifying a clear priority list of substances in e-liquids that require additional monitoring. A research project using the GC-MS/MS system has been identified to help determine such priority. Significant resources were assigned to the successful operation and method validation of the laboratory’s smoking machine. Analysis of Carbon Monoxide, Nicotine and Tar, as routine analysis of cigarettes was agreed with the HSE for 2025, and the method has been submitted to INAB for accreditation.

Cannabinoids & THC

There was an 85% increase in the number of cannabinoid samples submitted by Revenue. Sample preparation is a protracted process due to the small size of the samples, particularly for new matrices, such as cannabis beer. Many, but not all, of these samples were found to contain delta-9 THC. New matrices were validated and accredited under flexible scope for the cannabinoid LC-MS/MS method, e.g. herbal/plant-based matrices. Sample volumes of analysis for total delta-9 THC and moisture in Hemp crops from DAFM can vary as the crop viability is affected by wet weather.

The State Laboratory supports the work of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in monitoring environmental dioxin levels through the testing of milk samples. Dioxins can concentrate in cow’s milk fat when consumed as part of normal grazing. Dioxin testing on fish includes analysis for PFAS compounds, supporting the biota monitoring programme for inland surface waters. To assist the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, the Laboratory performs sulphur content analysis on fuel oil samples, contributing to environmental protection efforts. The State Laboratory assists the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) by developing and implementing new analytical methods to detect environmentally friendly fertiliser additives, such as urease and nitrification inhibitors, which can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fertilisers. The Laboratory also provides scientific advice and advanced chemical analysis to various Government Departments and public bodies, covering diverse and occasional needs in areas such as art conservation, chemical weapons, and illegal waste.

Emmissions Monitoring

A method for the analysis of the urease inhibitors used in urea-based fertilisers is carried out to assist with the State’s commitment to reduce both ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions from urea. As members of the CEN Technical Committee and related working groups, staff participated in discussions around protected ureas. Staff also had involvement in EURL workshops on metals and nitrogenous compounds and feed additives. Scientific assistance is periodically provided to a variety of bodies responsible for the conservation of Ireland’s heritage, including the National Library of Ireland, the National Gallery of Ireland and the National Museum of Ireland.

Sulphur In Oils

Analysis for sulphur in marine oil samples for The Marine Survey Office falls under the National, International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) and EU legislation. Sulphur determination in specific fuel oils assisting the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) in supporting EU controls in respect of environmental monitoring. State Laboratory Annual Report 2024

Persistent Organic Pollutants

The State Laboratory continues to support EPA monitoring programmes for persistent organic pollutants in the environment by testing fish samples for Dioxins, PCBs and PFAS and by testing milk samples for Dioxins and PCBs.

Drug Screening

Unknown, suspect, substances are submitted by Revenue for drug analysis. This requires a collaborative effort across the laboratory. The new FT-IR system and associated spectral libraries are now being utilised to carry out a pre-screen on drug samples. Approval was gained in 2024 for funding via the EU’s CCEI programme to partially recoup costs of a new LC-HRMS system for drug screening of this nature.

The State Laboratory marked 100 years in existence throughout 2024. This was an opportunity not only to mark the important work of the laboratory but also to honour the staff who have contributed to the combined success and growth of the laboratory throughout the century. The first of these events was the “State Laboratory - Past, Present & Future Centenary Conference” on the 24th April 2024. Held at the Hibernia Conference Centre, Dublin Castle, the event welcomed Staff - past and present, Clients, Stakeholders and Friends of the State Laboratory to mark the occasion together. In May, there was an open day for the laboratory where we welcomed over 100 colleagues from Backweston campus for tours of the laboratory, as well as family and friends for a barbeque and music. The final event in November was for staff only, taking the opportunity to network with colleagues and acknowledge the hard work and effort of all. Existing for 100 years is an achievement for the organisation and for the hundreds of staff who have worked here through the century. The State Laboratory now consistently delivers service to its clients and to Government, maintaining good governance and adapting to a myriad of changes. The State Laboratory looks forward to continuing to change and adapt throughout another century of excellence in the field of chemistry.

Expert Laboratory Advisory Group (ELAG)

The ELAG was established on 1 December 2024 with the following objectives:  Utilising existing laboratory capacity before investing in new capital requirements or contracting out laboratory requirements;  Optimising efficiency and reducing duplication of effort between laboratories; and  Identifying and compiling information on public sector laboratories. In a continued effort to promote efficiency, innovation, and value for money across the public service, Departments and their associated Offices and Bodies are encouraged to work in partnership with the Expert Laboratory Advisory Group (ELAG) when considering significant laboratory-related initiatives. Where proposed capital investments in laboratory infrastructure exceed €20 million (excluding VAT), or where outsourced laboratory services are projected to cost over €5 million, early engagement with ELAG is essential. This ensures that existing public sector laboratory capacity is fully assessed and leveraged wherever possible—supporting smarter investment decisions and avoiding unnecessary duplication. Ongoing or emerging requirements for laboratory analysis will be supported by expert, tailored advice from ELAG to help organisations identify the most efficient and effective solutions.

Public Sector Laboratories Group (PSLG)

The PSLG is comprised of senior public servants with responsibility for leading and managing national public sector laboratory services in Ireland. During 2024, the group visited Forensic Science Ireland and the Marine Institute. Tours of both laboratories were informative and there were many discussions about instrumentation, office layouts and laboratory space. The October meeting had a focus on environmental and sustainability issues as the result of a discussion at the January meeting. Both meetings were an opportunity for reports from working groups, discussions on issues of common interests and a chance to look at opportunities and innovation. The Group is active in between meetings, utilising the email network and newly established connections to answer queries in a more efficient fashion, seek advice and provide information of common interest.

Governance

The State Laboratory upholds the highest standards of corporate governance, risk management, and health and safety in all aspects of its operations. Our Quality Management System is fully compliant with ISO 17025, and we actively maintain and expand our accreditation scope to align with evolving client needs. Efficiency and cost-effectiveness are enhanced through the use of centralised procurement and ICT frameworks. The Laboratory remains aligned with emerging government policies and initiatives, including our planned integration into the Financial Management Shared Service, adherence to new Government Accounting Standards, and support for national strategies such as the Climate Action Plan, and Better Public Services – the Public Service Transformation 2030 Strategy. A safe and secure working environment is at the forefront of our daily work, with robust measures in place to manage the risks associated with handling hazardous chemicals. We also engage in ongoing collaboration with other public sector laboratories to enhance operational efficiency and minimise duplication across the sector.

Sick Leave

In 2024, the Laboratory’s Lost Time Rate was 3.7%. The average working days lost per fulltime employee was 8.4 days.

Flexible Working Arrangements

State Laboratory staff can avail of flexi-time, work sharing, parental leave, shorter working year, parents leave and blended working.

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

The gender breakdown for each grade in the Laboratory at the end of 2024 is shown in the table.

Learning and Development

In 2024, a range of scientific, technical, and professional development opportunities continued to be provided to the State Laboratory’s staff. Topics covered included advanced instrumentation analysis and troubleshooting, courtroom skills, laboratory information management systems, forensic toxicology, planning and evaluating method validation, QC data and measurement uncertainty interpretation, and EURL and Eurachem workshops. The Deputy Leadership Programme was introduced, along with Coaching for Senior Leadership, offering enhanced support for emerging and senior leaders. Staff participated in various courses available through the OneLearning platform, covering a broad range of professional and personal development topics.

Health and Safety

The State Laboratory is committed to providing a safe work environment for all its staff and visitors. Managing laboratory safety correctly and mitigating the hazards associated with working with potentially dangerous chemicals is a high priority for the Laboratory’s Management Board. A positive safety culture is promoted with leadership at Management Board level through the Principal Chemist holding the role of Safety Officer, supported by a Health & Safety Manager and a Safety Working Group providing information, advice and training to all staff. 39 projects were tracked through the 2024 Safety Programme. Areas of focus included remote and lone working, driving for work, laboratory ergonomics, staff well-being, working at height and improvements in communications through a quarterly safety newsletter, simplified incident reporting and toolbox talks. The Laboratory is an active member of the Public Sector Laboratory Health & Safety Network. The Laboratory collaborated externally with other public laboratories to benchmark our safety management system and internally with chemistry sections to deliver improvements in safe working procedures for distillation, biological sample reception and chemical storage.

Quality System / Accreditation

The quality of analytical work from the State Laboratory is enhanced by having a documented quality system in place and national and international acceptance of results of analyses is strengthened by the Laboratory’s accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 (General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories) by the Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB Reg. No. 146T). This is particularly so in the case of official controls of food and feed, where legislation requires accreditation, and can support successful court prosecutions. The 2024 INAB visit was a full reassessment audit, which took place over two days in February. The Laboratory was successful in maintaining accreditation for its existing scope. At the end of 2024, the Laboratory was accredited for 65 test methods covering 844 individual analytes.

Customer Satisfaction Survey

Once again, the results for the annual Customer Satisfaction Survey were very good and are shown in the table below. Comments from clients referred to the excellent service received and praised the helpful and flexible attitude of staff.

The Laboratory has always been conscious of recording the effectiveness of its service delivery to client departments and offices. The results of the 2024 Customer Satisfaction survey (undertaken in 2025) showed that the most important attribute of the service that the Laboratory provides continues to be “Quality of Service”. This reflects the fact that as a regulatory laboratory, the analytical results and advice the State Laboratory provides are used to inform important decisionmaking, to implement legislation and to support court prosecutions and Coroners inquests. The respondent rate of the Customer Satisfaction Survey results included in this report cover approximately 92% of the services to clients provided by the State Laboratory during 2024.

Audit Committee

The State Laboratory’s Audit Committee is part of the Laboratory’s governance framework, tasked with providing independent advice to the State Chemist (as Accounting Officer) regarding the suitability and robustness of the Laboratory’s internal control systems and procedures. The Committee met four times in 2024 and reviewed the reports of the internal audits conducted during the year: Procurement, Inventory, Risk Management, Contingency Planning and Crisis Management, Status on Previous Internal Audit Recommendations and Review of System of Internal Controls. Review of risk management is a standing agenda item for Audit Committee meetings.

Risk Management

The Laboratory’s Risk Register was updated twice during 2024 in line with the internal Risk Management Policy. Risks are identified at sectional level during business planning meetings and at the Risk Management Forum. The Risk Management Forum was established in 2024 and consists of a Chair and eight members from all levels across the Laboratory. The forum meets twice a year and makes recommendations to the Management Board on the Risk Register. The Management Board then review the recommendations, and the register of risks is updated accordingly.

System of Internal Financial Control

The State Chemist's Statement on Internal Financial Control (Appendix I) was submitted to the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General along with the State Laboratory's 2024 Appropriation Account in March_2025. The Comptroller and Auditor General's Office carried out their annual audit of the Appropriation Account.

Financial Information

The following table summarises the State Laboratory’s financial expenditure in 2024, with figures for 2023 provided for comparative purposes.

Changes were made to the administration subheads to facilitate the new single cross Government chart of accounts for all Votes. The figures for 2023 have been re-analysed to align with the new subheads.

Prompt Payments

In 2024, the Laboratory made one late payment to the value of €71.04, which included compensation costs of €70 per late payment.

Freedom of Information

The State Laboratory received 4 Freedom of Information requests in 2024; 3 were non-personal in nature, one was personal.

Protected Disclosures

No protected disclosures were received in the reporting period up to 31 December 2024.

Sustainability and Energy Use Statement

The State Laboratory is committed to performing its functions in a manner consistent with national climate ambitions; the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021; the Public Sector Climate Action Mandate; and Circular 1/2020: Procedures for offsetting the emissions associated with official air travel. The Laboratory is an active member in the SEAI’s Working Group for Public Sector Labs, the Optimising Power @Work OPW programme and Irish Green Labs.

Sustainable development

The 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development provides a blueprint of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests. The work of the Laboratory supports 14 of the goals.

Energy Management

The Laboratory reports energy performance annually to the SEAI through the monitoring and report (M&R) system. The SEAI Public Sector Partnership Programme provides the State Laboratory with the support of a Partnership Support Manager (PSM). In 2024, the final energy consumption by the State Laboratory was as follows:

Electricity 2,590,465 kWh

Gas 2,925,534 kWh

Total 5,515,999 kWh

This is an increase of 6.8% or 352,944 kWh on the total energy used in 2023. Relative to the baseline period this is an absolute energy reduction of 27.4%. The energy performance indicator (EnPI) for 2024 is 82.4% better than baseline and comfortably exceeds the 2030 public sector energy efficiency target.

The State Laboratory Climate Action Roadmap tracks our actions, performance, and opportunities relative to the 2030 public sector Green House Gas (GHG) emission targets. The Laboratory has delivered a 23.7% reduction on energy related CO2 emissions since the base line period.

Technology, Processes and Infrastructure

ICT Development

ICT focused on a number of themes, Digital First and by Design, Cybersecurity and Data, ICT Operations, Infrastructure & Cloud and Laboratory Service Improvement. Significant improvements were made across all areas particularly in the area of cyber security, instrument data archiving and an improved support model for laboratory ICT requirements. In 2024, there were no events of significant disruption to operations due to ICT systems or service. Support capacity in this area has increased in response to the reliance on ICT and digital services, as well as increased staff numbers. Helpdesk ticket numbers have increased from 3137 in 2023 to 3482 in 2024. All endpoints are undergoing migration to Windows 11 and Office 365 representing a significant upgrade. This is an opportunity to standardise endpoints to a higher quality baseline. The organisation is adopting Microsoft’s subscription-based licensing model. This provides flexibility and access to additional services such as mobile device management, which will be required to manage the increase in mobile devices such as laptops. ICT has also introduced virtual desktops and physical PCs to facilitate business continuity. The organisation’s disaster recovery capability has matured and is tested biannually. Testing includes all critical systems required to maintain operations and all tests continue to pass successfully. Annual penetration testing is completed, with all issues remediated successfully. ICT facilitates cyber security user awareness training, including multiple phishing simulations to further improve user awareness.

Innovation

Quarterly staff meetings were held throughout 2024. As part of these events, staff from different sections gave presentations on innovative approaches they progressed in their own sections and drew attention to how some of these approaches may be useful throughout the Laboratory. The Annual Research & Innovation Seminar was another opportunity for staff to showcase these innovative projects and research. Topics covered included The Dawn of the Design-Lead Transformation, LIMS Visuals Workflows, ICT Jump Boxes, Camtasia for Training and Business Continuity, Safety Approaches-Toolbox Talks, Analysis of Whiskey Principle Component by Spectroscopic Techniques, Bar Code Scanning & Chain of Custody Samples, and Method Development & Validation for PFAS Analysis. A new bar-coding system was introduced to support sample tracking within the Laboratory. New analytical instrumentation was commissioned in a number of sections.

Laboratory Infrastructure

The Laboratory Services Section engages with the Facilities Management Company and Office for Public Works (OPW) to ensure the stringent facility requirements are met specific to a modern analytical laboratory. The year saw the changing of the Facilities Management provider under a new OPW contract. As the service provided to clients and staff numbers continue to grow there is a focus on ensuring the building meets current and future needs. More than 45 facilities projects were completed during the year. These included areas such as; fire safety management, plant lifecycle management, office and laboratory reconfigurations, EV charging, room environmental controls, equipment replenishment, gas contingencies and monitoring, external building façade improvements, along with facilities support for both Chemistry and Support Sections.

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 State Chemist.

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.

Shared services

I have fulfilled my responsibilities in relation to the requirements of the service management agreement between the State Laboratory and the National Shared Services Office for the provision of human resources and payroll shared services. I rely on a letter of assurance from the Accounting Officer of the National Shared Services Office that the appropriate controls are exercised in the provision of shared services to the State Laboratory.

Financial control environment

A control environment comprising 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.
• Procedures for all key business processes have been documented.
• There are systems in place to safeguard the assets.

Administrative controls and management reporting

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 State Laboratory Annual Report 2024
• 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

Internal audit and Audit Committee

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.

Procurement

The State Laboratory ensures that there is an appropriate focus on good procurement practice in the award of all contracts and that procedures are in place to ensure compliance with all relevant guidelines. Expenditure on goods, professional and other contracted services, amounted to a total of €5.6 million in 2024.

The State Laboratory has provided details of nine non-competitive contracts in the annual return in respect of Circular 40/2002 to the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform.

The State Laboratory complied with the guidelines for 2024 and did not have any non-compliant contracts.

Risk and control framework

The State Laboratory has implemented a risk management system which identifies and reports key risks and the management actions being taken to address and, to the extent possible, to mitigate those risks.

A risk register is in place which identifies the key risks facing the State Laboratory and these have been identified, evaluated and graded according to their significance. The register is reviewed and updated by the Management Board on a bi-annual basis. The outcome of these assessments is used to plan and allocate resources to ensure risks are managed to an acceptable level.

The risk register details the controls and actions needed to mitigate risks and responsibility for operation of controls assigned to specific staff. Ongoing monitoring and review

Formal procedures have been established for monitoring control processes and control deficiencies are communicated to those responsible for taking corrective action and to management and the Management Board, where relevant, in a timely way. I confirm that key risks and related controls have been identified and processes have been put in place to monitor the operation of those key controls and report any identified deficiencies.

Review of effectiveness

The State Laboratory has procedures to monitor the effectiveness of its risk management and control procedures. The State Laboratory’s monitoring and review of the effectiveness of the system of internal financial control is informed by the work of the internal and external auditors and the senior management within the State Laboratory responsible for the development and maintenance of the internal financial control framework.

Internal financial control issues

Arising from an administrative oversight an Excess Vote of €9,680 was recorded. Receipts due in December 2024 were delayed leading to a shortfall in appropriation-in-aid which was not matched by savings in expenditure. Procedures have been implemented in 2025 to prevent a similar situation arising. No other weaknesses in internal financial control were identified in 2024 that require disclosure in the appropriation account.

Barbara O’Leary

Accounting Officer

State Laboratory

11 March 2025

Meetings Attended / Continuous professional development

• 254th, 261st and 262nd CCC meetings, online
• 257th CCC meeting, Brussels
• BVL EURL online workshop
• Civil Service Health and Safety Managers Network
• CLEN Action 6, Update and enrichment of ECICS, online
• CLEN anniversary (25th), Budapest: 26/09/24
• CLEN discussion meeting on ring test for starch and sugars in pet food
• CLEN workshop on Textiles, Amsterdam
• Coroner Court visit
• ECICS workshop, 50 years’ experience and future, Athens
• Eurachem Ireland meetings in January, February, March and November
• Eurachem Executive Committee meetings in February, May and September
• Eurachem General Assembly in May, Vilnius
• Eurachem Method Validation Working Group meetings in February and October, Athens
• EURL Workshop – Feed Additives, Belgium
• EURL Workshop – Metals and Nitrogenous Compounds in Feed, Copenhagen
• EURL Workshop- WFSR, remote
• WCO SSC 39th session, Brussels
• Familiarisation training for Agilent 6495 LC-MS/MS provided by Agilent
• FTIR TQ analyst, onsite
• Government Labs LIMS User group meeting, online
• HMRC/Revenue/Eurofins and State Laboratory meeting, Belfast
• Joint EURL Workshop in Berlin
• Leco GCxGC-TOFMS training, onsite
• Meeting of Irish Mass Spec society (IMSS)
• Meetings of CEN/TC 260 WG 7 Chemical Analysis of Fertilisers
• Netherlands Customs Laboratory exploratory visit, Amsterdam
• Participation in Core Working Groups for PFAS and BFRs
• Perkin Elmer GC user group, England
• Plenary meeting of CEN Technical Committee (TC) 260 – Fertilisers and Liming Materials
• Postmortem Toxicology for Forensic Pathology Fellows and Toxicologists
• Public Laboratories Safety Network
• Public Sector Laboratories Group (PSLG) and the Government Laboratories LIMS User Group LIMS Webinar (Hosted by Laura Flynn and State Laboratory)
• Public Sector Laboratories Group meetings
• Quality Assurance in Chemical, Medical and Microbiological Laboratories, Vilnius Lithuania, May 2024
• Revenue International seminar on Accutrace Plus, Dublin
• SEAI/IGL June 2024
• Standing Committee on Veterinary Medicinal Products State Laboratory

Conferences Attended

• Agilent Ireland Scientific Technology and Innovation Roadshow, Dublin
• Annual Research and Innovation Seminar, internal
• Bar code scanning – Chain of custody samples
• Eurachem workshop (Laboratory sustainability)
• Health and Safety Review Annual Conference in May 2024
• Irish Forensic Toxicology (IFTOX) Labs Meeting – FSNI, Belfast
• Irish Mass Spec Society Conference (Dublin)
• Leco webinar, Non-Targeted Screening in Sustainable Fuels: Exploring Method Development & Fuel Quality Assessment
• Perkin Elmer GC User meeting (UK)
• Principle component analysis of whiskey products by spectroscopic and analytical techniques
• Quality Assurance in Chemical, Medical and Microbiological Laboratories, Vilnius Lithuania, May 2024.
• Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT) conference (US)
• Society of Irish toxicologists annual meeting
• State Laboratory “Past, Present, Future” Centenary Conference
• The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (TIAFT) conference (Switzerland)
• UK International Association of Forensic Toxicologists Meeting (Leicester)

Representation at National and International Level

• Eurachem – Helen Cantwell:
  • Vice Chair of Eurachem Ireland.
  • Chair of Eurachem Method Validation Working Group
  • Vice Chair of Eurachem
• Eurachem – Colmán O’Riordain:
  • Secretary of Eurachem Ireland
• Eurachem – Veronica Gubarkova:
  • Treasurer of Eurachem Ireland
• Public Sector Laboratories Group – Barbara O’Leary and Ed Malone
• Irish Mass Spectrometry Society (IMSS) – Conor Noone
• EURL– Damien Mooney
  • Stability Database Working Group
• EURL– Hannah Smith
  • PFAS Working Group
• EURL– Conor Noone & Myra Keogh
  • BFRs Working Group
• HPRA Advisory Committee for Veterinary Medicines – Ed Malone
• Expert Laboratory Advisory Group (ELAG)- Barbara O’Leary