The newly appointed chief executive of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), Ms Ann Westby, has died suddenly.
Ms Westby, who had just taken over from the FSAI's first chief executive, Dr Patrick Wall, for a five-year term, died on Saturday.
The chairman of the FSAI, Dr Daniel O'Hare, said there were no words that could fully describe the deep shock and sadness felt by Ms Westby's colleagues on hearing the news.
"It is devastating that after a sudden illness her death was so swift. While she was with the authority for three short months she touched everyone she met with her energy, kindness and unique personality," he said.
"It is with great personal regret that we mark her passing. Her enthusiasm, drive and visionary plans for the authority energised us all and she will be a great loss not only to our organisation, but also to the entire Irish food safety family. On behalf of all the board and staff of the authority, I extend our deepest sympathies to Ann's husband Alan and her family on their tremendous loss. She will be sorely missed."
Labour's spokeswoman on agriculture and food Dr Mary Upton said the death of Ms Westby was a huge loss to the many people engaged in the food business in Ireland.
"Ann had enormous experience of the food industry in Ireland and was a rock of common sense. She was well aware of the need to ensure the highest standards in the production and processing of food, but she also had a firm grip on the need for a practical, hands-on approach to the business," Dr Upton said.
"There are many committees and task forces that Ann contributed to, and she will be missed for her practical and good-humoured approach to the many thorny issues that have to be resolved in such committees.
"She was best known to me for her contribution to the Institute of Food Science and Technology of Ireland. As an ordinary member for many years, and later as President, she worked tirelessly to promote the work of the Institute."
Ms Westby recently told The Irish Timesthat a key priority for her five-year term was to establish pools of expertise among the 2,500 inspectors responsible for policing food safety in the State.