The Pensions Authority

Fiona Tierney Chair of the Pensions Authority

Fiona Tierney was appointed Chair of the Pensions Authority in 2026. She is an experienced cross-sectoral non-executive director, having served as a board member in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. She is a former CEO of Ireland’s Public Appointments Service (PAS) from 2012 to 2018 and was an ex-officio member of the Board of PAS. She was also a member of the Civil Service Management Board from 2013 – 2018. She is currently a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Wells Fargo Bank International UC where she is a member of the Risk Committee and of the NomRem Committee. She is a Member of the Council of the Institute of Directors in Ireland, and sits on the Audit Committee of the Department of Justice. She is also a Member of the Board of Digital Manufacturing Ireland in Limerick, an IDA-funded initiative which showcases and supports the transition to digital manufacturing in Ireland. She holds professional qualifications as a Chartered Director of the Institute of Directors (London) and a Certified Bank Director, Institute of Banking, Ireland. She has a degree in Economics and Political Science from Trinity College and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from UCD.

Mr Michael McGrath

Assistant Secretary General, Department of Finance
(Representative of the Minister for Finance)

Mr. McGrath was appointed a member of the Pensions Authority in February 2020. Since September 2017, Michael has responsibility for the development of domestic and EU/International policy and legislation in relation to financial services (including insurance and pensions, funds, financial markets and anti-money laundering policy). He also has management responsibility for the Department’s internal Legal Unit. He was seconded to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as Ireland’s Alternate Executive Director of the IMF Board (2014-2017). Before that, he was the A/Sec. of the EU & International Division for a 2-year period and between 2007 and 2012 he was the A/Sec. with responsibility for the Economics & Budget Division. He previously served on the National Economic and Social Council, the National Statistics Board, and a range of senior EU economic and fiscal committees. He is currently the Vice-Chair of the EU Financial Services Committee.  He holds a BA (economics and sociological & political studies) from UCG, an MA (economics) from UCD, an MSc (taxation) from DCU and a post-Graduate Higher Diploma (Statistics) from TCD.

Ms Deirdre Shanley

Assistant Secretary General, Department of Social Protection
(Representative of the Minister for Social Protection) 

Deirdre was appointed a member of the Pensions Authority in March 2024. Deirdre has responsibility for Control Operations in the Department of Social Protection. She previously had the role of Chief Financial Officer in the Department and has also served on the Management Board of the Department of Education as Head of Schools Division. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce, an MA in Public Management, an MA in Innovation Management and a Professional Diploma in Business Finance.