According to the Health Research Board “Research is designed and conducted to generate new generalisable or transferable knowledge”. The ultimate goal of any research undertaken is to obtain results that may contribute to appropriate and improved healthcare directed at meeting patient needs.
Research Ethics Committees (RECs) play a central role in the research process. However, the tasks and responsibilities for RECs have become more demanding and increasingly complex over the last decade.
RECs are tasked with:
- Upholding the rights of all research participants
- Assessing the risks and benefits of research
- Ensuring consent is valid and without duress
- Protecting confidentiality and privacy of all medical and personal data
- Monitoring and auditing ongoing and completed research
Increasingly, research is being conducted on a National and International level and across multiple academic and industrial sites. This further complicates the process for RECs to maintain a coherent yet applicant accessible approach.
Here at the Beacon Hospital we on the REC wish to act as facilitators of research.
We review and offer advice on research involving:
- All patients of Beacon Hospital
- All relatives and carers of patients of Beacon Hospital
- All Beacon Hospital staff recruited as research participants
- All past and present collected personal data
If you wish to conduct research under the auspices of Beacon Hospital, you must have approval from the Beacon Hospital Research Ethics Committee:
REC Committee Members: 2024
Co-Chair: Dr Ruth Pilkington, Director of Education, Research & Medical Office Beacon Hospital
Co-Chair: Assoc Prof David Burke, Beacon Hospital Consultant in Cardiology
Co-Chair: Prof. Ray McDermott, Beacon Hospital Consultant Medical Oncologist
Members:
Ms. Ailish Daly, Director of PSQI Beacon Hospital
Ms. Fiona Kirwan, Director of Clinical Services Beacon Hospital
Ms. Sharon Derham, Assistant Director of Nursing Beacon Hospital
Dr. Siobhra O’ Sullivan, Beacon Hospital Consultant Radiation Oncologist
Dr. Lisa Prior, Beacon Hospital Consultant Medical Oncologist
Dr. Karen Ryan, Research Administration Manger Beacon Hospital Research Institute
Mr. Anthony Pierce, Physiotherapist & Clinical Research Associate in Orthopaedics Beacon Hospital
Ms. Maggie Coleman, Nurse & Clinical Research Associate in Medical Oncology Beacon Hospital
Ms. Roisin Conaty, Clinical Research Associate in Radiotherapy Beacon Hospital
Mr. David Mulqueen, Technical Director IT Beacon Hospital
Mr. Ken Murray, IT Manager Beacon Hospital
Mr. Stephen McMahon, Irish Patients Association
| MEETING DATES 2025 | SUBMISSION DEADLINE | STATUS |
| Tuesday 28th January | Friday 17th January @17:00 IST | Open |
| Tuesday 25th February | Friday 14th February @17:00 IST | Open |
| Tuesday 25th March | Friday 14th March @17:00 IST | Open |
| Tuesday 29th April | Friday 18th April @17.00 IST | Open |
| Tuesday 27th May | Friday 16th May @17:00 IST | Open |
| Tuesday 24th June | Friday 13th June @17:00 IST | Open |
| Tuesday 29th July | Friday 18th July @17:00 IST | Open |
| Tuesday 26th August | Friday 15th August @17:00 IST | Open |
| Tuesday 30th September | Friday 19th September @17:00 IST | Open |
| Tuesday 28th October | Friday 17th October @17:00 IST | Open |
| Tuesday 25th November | Friday 14th November @17:00 IST | Open |
| Tuesday 16th December | Friday 5th December @17:00 IST | Open |
STUDIES OTHER THAN CLINICAL TRIALS OF MEDICINAL PRODUCTS
Ethics Committee Local Checklist and Signatory Page |
 |
A Participant Information Leaflet and Informed Consent Form (PIL/ICF) |
|
A Data Protection Impact Assessment Form (DPIA) |
|
Research Ethics Committee Standard Application Form |
|
Guidance Manual for RECSAF Form Completion |
 |
FEE STRUCTURE
| Per Application: | Per Site: | Per Amendment: | Fee set by Legislation: | ||
MEDICINES for Human Use (note currently this REC cannot give a single state opinion) |
Sponsor-Led Clinical Trials | €1,500 | €150 | €500 | Yes |
| Investigator-Led Clinical Trials | €150 | €50 (waived) | €50 (waived) | Yes | |
Clinical Trials which are Non CTIMPs |
Sponsor-Led Clinical Trials | €1,500 | €100 | €500 | No |
| Investigator-Led Clinical Trials | €150 | €50 (waived) | €50 (waived) | No | |
MEDICAL DEVICES for human use |
Sponsor-Led Clinical Trials | €1,500 | NIL | €500 | No |
| Investigator-Led Clinical Trials | €150 | NIL | NIL | No | |
COSMETIC PRODUCTS for human use |
Sponsor-Led Clinical Trials | €1,500 | NIL | €500 | No |
| Investigator-Led Clinical Trials | €150 | NIL | NIL | No | |
FOOD AND FOOD SUPPLEMENTS for human use |
Sponsor-Led Clinical Trials | €600+extra | NIL | NIL | No |
| Investigator-Led Clinical Trials | NIL | NIL | NIL | No |
Please note: All studies which are investigator led by a Beacon Hospital Staff Member are subject to a fee waiver.
 |
Engage EARLY and OFTEN with the REC for Help and Support |
 |
Allow 2 – 3 Months for the Application Process |
 |
If you cannot check ✓ Forms on the CHECKLIST before submitting your application – your application will not be sent to the REC for consideration |
Click here for a guide to applying to the Beacon Hospital Research Ethics Committee
| Cover Letter Listing All Documents to be Reviewed |  |
| Research Ethics Committee Standard Application Form | |
| Participant Information Leaflet/Informed Consent Form | |
| Data Protection Impact Assessment Form | |
| Local Checklist and Signatory Form | |
| CV of Principal Investigator (Signed and Dated) | |
| Recruitment Material/Posters | |
| Questionnaire/Interview Prompts/Protocols | |
| Evidence of Previously Approved Ethics | |
| Proof of Current Insurance for Each Investigator Not covered by Clinical Indemnity | |
| Proof of Current Insurance for Each Site Not covered by Clinical Indemnity | |
| Certificate of Insurance for Sponsor for Externally Funded Studies | |
| Applicable Fees | |
Beacon Hospital Research Institute
Institute Manager
Hotel Room 101
Beacon Hospital
Tel: 01-6504881 or 087-4520580
Email: ethics@beaconhospital.ie