The Central Bank has appointed Patrick Casey (pictured), who is currently the Registrar of Credit Unions, as its new head of consumer policy and research.

As a result, the bank has launched a recruitment process to find a new supervisor for the credit-union sector.

In his new role, Casey will lead the bank’s review of its Consumer Protection Code.

The Central Bank will launch a discussion paper in the third quarter of this year as part of the review process.

A formal consultation will follow, setting out proposed revisions to the code.

‘Unprecedented change’

Central Bank Governor Gabriel Makhlouf said that the review offered the bank an opportunity to engage widely with stakeholders on critical consumer-related topics at a time of “unprecedented change” in Irish retail financial services.

Makhlouf added that the credit-union sector played important role at the heart of the sector.

“We want to continue to see a strong and vibrant credit-union sector, offering its members the products and services they need into the future, which the new registrar will take forward,” he stated.

Casey’s deputy, Elaine Byrne, is being appointed acting Registrar of Credit Unions, pending the outcome of the recruitment process.