Why are the Bye-laws being reviewed?
The current version of the Bye-laws were approved in 2012.
What was the review process?
Engineers Ireland undertook a governance review in 2021 which highlighted a number of areas where governance could be improved. An oversight group, chaired by President Orla Feely, drafted several documents that provided details on many of the roles defined in the Bye-laws which were approved by Council and published on the Engineers Ireland website. With these supporting documents in place, a Bye-laws Review Group was established and composed of the following members:
- Colette O’Shea, Chartered Engineer and Fellow: Chair of the Review Group, Co-founder & Vice Chair of the Women in Engineering Group.
- Richard Crowe, Chartered Engineer and Fellow: Chair of the Membership & Qualifications Board and member of the Executive Board, and Council
- Siobhán Fahey, Chartered Engineer: Former Chair and member of the Dispute Resolution Board
- John Higgins, Chartered Engineer and Fellow: Former Chair of the Benevolent Fund Committee, and member of the Ethics & Disciplinary Board
- Jeffrey Roe, MIEI: Chair of the Electronic and Computing Division, and member of Council
- Damien Owens, Chartered Engineer and Fellow: Director General of Engineers Ireland
- Máirín Ní Aonghusa: Engineers Ireland staff
- Aoife Ní Mhaoláin: Engineers Ireland staff
The review group was facilitated by Caroline Keely-Conroy, a solicitor with extensive experience in providing training to organisations with similar governance structures to Engineers Ireland.
The output report from the review group was considered in sections by Council during the 2024/25 and 2025/26 sessions.
The proposed changes were then presented to members at Regional meetings across Ireland in October and November 2025. Any amendments suggested at these meetings were discussed and, where necessary, adopted at subsequent meetings of Council.
What is the approval process?
The proposed amendments to the Bye-laws can be approved by either a Special Resolution of Council or the approval of a majority of members at a Special General Meeting.
The review of the Bye-laws was extensive and, in the interests of transparency, Council passed a resolution on 6th December 2025 for members to vote on the proposed Bye-laws at a Special General Meeting (SGM). The SGM must be held within 40 days of the passing of the Special Resolution, and the date was set for January 15th 2026.
What sections are changing?
The Bye-laws comprise Sections A through H each dealing with a different topic.
- Section A: Definitions
- Section B: Name and Objects of Engineers Ireland
- Section C: Structure of Engineers Ireland
- Section D: General Meetings of Engineers Ireland
- Section E: Membership
- Section F: Papers, Articles and Awards
- Section G: Property and Assets of Engineers Ireland
- Section H: Interpretation and Alteration of Bye-laws
There are minor grammatical changes throughout.
Changes to section A: addition of definition for Vice President and a Special Resolution.
There are no changes to sections B, F and G.
Section D: 9.2 and 9.4 were amended and relate to holding of meetings.
Section E: 16.9 additional text was added for clarification.
Section H: 28.2 was added to provide for Council to make decisions in the event that a particular topic is not specifically addressed in the Bye-laws.
What are the main changes?
The substantive changes occur in Section C.
Section C (Structure of Engineers Ireland).
3.3.2 The category of elected members under section (C) has been changed to
‘hold the academic requirements for MIEI and not hold a professional title.’
Previously, this category had to hold the academic qualifications for Chartered Engineer. The proposed change is more inclusive and opens the category to a wider cohort of members who may wish to serve on Council.
3.4.7 Sets out the tenure for Council members, sets maximum tenure and the periods between serving different terms on Council.
3.6.4 is a new section which sets out the process for the selection of incoming Vice President. This reflects the practice that has been adopted in recent years.
4.4.2 The term of service on the Executive Board has increased from one to two years. This is to allow members to accumulate greater operating knowledge of the role.
Will there be a vote on each section or for the entire document?
The membership is being asked to accept the proposals en bloc in a single vote.
Will this affect my membership status?
No. Your membership status and regulations for membership remain unchanged.
Will this impact my annual fee?
No. The annual fee is set separately by Council.