I have worked as an ecologist in Ireland since the 1980s. I have carried out ecological research for governmental and non-governmental nature conservation agencies, and have also been involved in policy work on the implementation of nature conservation legislation, and on the effectiveness of nature conservation designations in Ireland. I developed guidance on cross-compliance issues between the Birds Directive, the Habitats Directive, and the Water Framework Directive (WFD).
I have prepared desk study, field survey, and research findings including GIS mapping and databases for publication in scientific literature, in report form, and in Habitats Directive Article 6 Appropriate Assessment, Natura Impact Statement, and Environmental Impact Statement / EIAR. I have worked on a wide range of infrastructure types and projects; a key part of my role as lead ecologist has been the development of methodological solutions to the emerging requirements of environmental legislation.
I see evidence of climate change through my work as an ecologist in Ireland. My objective as an Individual Member of Hydrogen Ireland is to contribute to policy coherence in the development of decarbonisation strategies, planning and implementation in Ireland.