News & Events

Mason Hayes & Curran lawyer made an Honorary Fellow of University of Ulster

03 February 2005

Raymond O' Rourke, a food & life sciences lawyer with leading business law firm Mason Hayes & Curran, has been recognised for his expertise in the area of food and life sciences law by receiving an Honorary Fellowship from the Faculty of Life & Health Sciences, at the University of Ulster, Coleraine.

The Fellowship will entail Raymond lecturing to University of Ulster students and continuing his assistance to the web-based MSc in European Regulatory Affairs, a joint project between the University of Ulster, Trinity College and University College Cork.

Commenting, Mr. O'Rourke said, "I am honoured to receive this Fellowship in recognition of my work in the field of food and life sciences law. The ongoing co-operation between the University of Ulster, Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork on the European regulatory affairs pertaining to food and life sciences is to be commended. As we all learnt during the foot-and-mouth epidemic, issues relating to food and life sciences know no borders and so the ongoing all-island approach of the universities remains crucial".

"Likewise my own law firm Mason Hayes & Curran has been to the forefront both in representing two of the North-South bodies [Food Safety Promotion Board and Waterways Ireland] established under the Belfast Agreement and also having a dedicated Life Sciences Unit within the firm".

Raymond has over 10 years experience in the area of food & life sciences law having advised many of the leading players in the Irish food industry. He has assisted the Governments of Latvia, Poland, Estonia and the Czech Republic prepare their food regulatory systems for EU enlargement and was appointed a member of the Irish Government's Advisory Committee on GMOs in 2002.

Founded in 1968, Mason Hayes & Curran currently employs over 185 people and has offices in Dublin and New York.