Members

Fisheries/Aquaculture

DAVID DOWNES

Role
- National & Regional Inshore Fisheries Forum - David has been involved in Inshore Fishing as a Commercial Fisherman for the past 30 years. He is a member of the North-West Regional Inshore Fisheries Forum, wherein he represents the Raghly fishermen in Co. Sligo. Term of Office 11/4/2024-10/4/2027
Tourism

STEVE CONLON

Role
- Irish Boat Rental Association - Steve is a self-employed consultant providing management services for the Irish Boat Rental Association, the trade association representing the leading cruise hire companies on the River Shannon. His other clients include the Irish Marine Federation, Marine Institute, Wicklow County Council and Netherlands' Department of Economy. He is a Council Member of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation ITIC, Member of the Failte Ireland Industry Advisory Group, Member of the Irelands Hidden Heartlands Stakeholder Group, Member of the Dept. Housing Advisory Panel for the implementation of Marine Spatial Planning, and Member of the Stakeholder Advisory Group for the implementation of Marine Protected Areas. Term of Office 1/2/2024-31/1/2027
Youth/Interests of 3rd level students

EIMEAR MANNING

Role
- National Youth Council of Ireland - Eimear holds an M.S. in Environmental Sustainability (Marine Specification) and Joint B.A. Geographical Science & English. She has extensive experience provides here with excellent knowledge on the intersection of global climate/marine issues with social justice issue, and potential negative impacts to communities. She has been Climate Justice Development Officer with the National Youth Council of Ireland since 2021. This is a diverse role, but the following are some examples of projects and work she has undertaken: Project lead for ‘Future Generations Climate Justice Project’ consortium. This year’s focus is on SDG 14- Life Below Water, Co-created and finalised the NYCI’s first internal Climate Justice Policy, facilitated the youth-led project to create Irelands first and only Climate Justice Charter, Workshop delivery & keynote speaking at variety of events centred around climate and marine issues. Eimear is also a member of the Legal Recommendation Drafting Group, Council of Europe (Strasburg & Budapest) since 2023 which involves ongoing policy writing and reviewing the Council of Europe draft recommendation on Young People & Climate Action. Term of Office 1/2/2024-31/1/2027
Trade Unions

BRENDAN O’BRIEN

Role
- SIPTU - Brendan is a full time official with the trade union SIPTU in Ireland since 2001. Brendan has worked across a number of different industrial sectors over the years including the brief for Public Administration and specifically within that division, workers in water services. Brendan was heavily involved in the negotiations leading to the Water Services Framework, relating to the establishment of the Uisce Eireann as a publicly owned national utility. Brendan represents the union at local and European level and currently holds the post of the Head of Division for the Public administration and Community Division within SIPTU. Among other qualifications, Brendan holds a UCD Diploma in Performance Management. Term of Office 25/03/2025-24/03/2028
Chairperson

DR MATTHEW CROWE

Role
- Independent Chair - Matt joined the Water Forum as Chair in 2022. Matt was employed at the EPA since 1995 and has held Directorships with responsibility for Communications & Corporate Services & the Office of Evidence & Assessment. Prior to joining the EPA, he worked in Vancouver, Canada, for five years, conducting contract research in applied environmental sciences. Matt holds a B.Sc. and PhD from University College, Dublin. Term of Office 1/2/2025-31/1/2028
Social Housing

DAVID WRIGHT

Role
- Irish Council for Social Housing - David has been engaged with the Water Forum since its early inception as the Public Water Forum in 2015. Initially representing the Community & Voluntary Pillar and since 2020 The Irish Council for Social Housing. David’s overall remit is the protection of the most vulnerable in our society and seeking the highest standards in the protection of water sources and the production and security of drinking water. David’s experience of the public and private sector is extensive, including the voluntary sector, focusing on the behavioural sciences. As an enthusiastic hill walker and marine activities, he takes a strong interest in all environment matters. Terms of Office 1/2/2024-31/1/2027
Rivers Trusts

DR CONSTANZE O’TOOLE

Role
- Rivers Trusts in Ireland- Constanze is an experienced Freshwater Ecologist & Manager with a demonstrated history of working in research and the environmental NGO sector. She is skilled in project management, environmental education, water protection, freshwater ecology and community work and has strong communication and community engagement skills. Constanze holds a Ph.D. in Science and a Higher PG Diploma in Monitoring, Assessment and Environmental Engineering from Trinity College Dublin. She is the Irish Development Manager of the Rivers Trust, which involves supporting the rivers trust movement in Ireland and building capacity of member rivers trusts, and diversifying funding streams for the movement, including EU funding. Constanze is also Coordinator of the iCatch Hub Network and Project Manager of the Interreg NWE BUFFER+ project. Term of Office 1/2/2024-31/1/2027
Recreation

CIARÁN MAGUIRE

Role
- Canoeing Ireland - Ciarán has been involved in Water sports, as an athlete, business owner and NGB Director for almost 30 years. He is currently Director of Operations with Canoeing Ireland, with oversight of conferences & events; development programmes; regional hubs; facility development. Ciarán has a keen interest in the environment and has been instrumental in embedding environmental awareness modules into kayaking training programmes. He has experience both the commercial and volunteer aspects of sport and has a proven track record in building a sound business model in the water sport industry. Ciarán has worked with and provided services for a diverse range of people over the years, from multi-national corporations to school children from challenging backgrounds. Term of Office 1/2/2024-31/1/2027
Rural Water (1)

JEAN ROSNEY

Role
- National Federation of Group Water Schemes - Jean is the Senior Development Co-ordinator with the National Federation of Group Water Schemes (NFGWS). Jean has worked in rural water for over 18 years and my interests are in protecting & improving our water resources to protect public health & our environment through implementation of targeted mitigation actions to tackle pollution risks, encouraging water conservation and promoting climate action & biodiversity initiatives. Jean feels education and awareness are very important for all age levels as well and learning from others through knowledge transfers. Term of Office 1/2/2024-31/1/2027
Rural Water (2)

MARK FARRELLY

Role
- National Federation of Group Water Schemes- Mark is the chief executive officer of the National Federation of Group Water Schemes (NFGWS). Mark has worked with the NFGWS since 2020, previously as Education, Information and Research Officer. He has a strong interest in all aspects of drinking water delivery and the co-operative community ethos of the group water scheme sector. He has a particular interest in the social impacts garnered through enhanced community participation in the protection and management of our water resources. Term of Office 1/10/2024-30/9/2027
General Consumers (2)

KEITH HYLAND

Role
- Domestic Water Consumer - Keith is a freelance Lighting Director working in broadcast media. Previously, Keith worked with RTÉ across the entire range of televised output, including some of Ireland's largest televised events. Keith joined the Public Water Forum as an Irish Water customer to pursue the principles of consumer rights and participatory democracy. He is now the chair of the Water Services Standing Committee. Term of Office 1/2/2024 - 31/1/2027
General Consumers (1)

CONNIE ROCHFORD

Role
- Domestic Water Consumer - Connie Rochford, has a BA in Sociology, MA in Political Science and a PhD in Education Policy and has been a member of the Forum since 2016 and has acted as Chairperson in the interim between Chairs. Connie has served on the Strategic Plan subcommittee and both Standing Committees from their initiation and chaired both the Education subcommittee and the Public Participation working group. Connie is a founding member and Secretary/Treasurer of Wexford Volunteer Centre. I am interested in participating in the Water Forum because I believe that water is a social asset and its conservation, management and services are of concern to all citizens and consequently policy recommendations need to reflect this over any other special interests. Term of Office 1/2/2024-31/1/2027
Forestry

MARIE DOYLE

Role
- Forestry Sectoral Bodies - Marie Doyle is a Lecturer in Forestry in University College Dublin. Her areas of teaching include Sustainable Forest Management, Forest Certification, Professional Communication in Forestry, and the delivery of the capstone Forest Management Plan module for final years. er research interests in recent years include the extent and characterisation of High Nature Value forests in Ireland. Marie believes the integration of water management and water protection is a key aspect of standard practice in forestry, and pointedly a core component of forest certification. The careful planning of forest operations, and integration of new policies and directives into practice naturally requires an understanding and appreciation of the aspects of forestry practice that can impact on water – both in mitigating potential negative impacts and enhancing those positive interactions of trees and water. Term of Office 1/2/2024-31/1/2027
Environment (1)

CHARLES STANLEY SMITH

Role
- Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) - Charles is a member of the National Advisory Group for Public Participation Networks (PPNs) and Tipperary PPN Secretariat and was Chair of Tipperary Local Community Development Committee 2015-2021 and a member of the CAP Consultancy Committee (from 2023 to 2027). He was also the Chair of An Taisce 2006-2011. Charles is concerned with sustainability, water quality and security of supply, PPNs and public engagement in water management, SDGS and planning for sustainability. Term of Office 1/2/2024-31/1/2027
Environment (2)

DR ELAINE Mc GOFF

Role
- The Environmental Pillar (IEN) - Elaine is the Natural Environment Officer with An Taisce, working on environmental planning, policy, and advocacy covering a broad range of topics from forestry and aquaculture to agriculture and water quality. Elaine reviews ecologically sensitive licensing and planning applications across these sectors, with a view to ensuring compliance with EU and National environmental law. Her ambition for the Forum is to see a structured dialogue across all sectors effecting real collaborative change for the protection of Ireland's water. She has a PhD in Freshwater Ecology from Trinity College Dublin and has worked in the freshwater world both nationally and across Europe for the past 15 years. Term of Office 1/2/2024 - 31/1/2027
Environment (5)

SINÉAD O’BRIEN

Role
- Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) - Sinéad has been leading the Sustainable Water Network's (SWAN) work for over 16 years, has a degree in Zoology from University College Cork and is a passionate advocate for the water environment. Sinéad oversees all of SWAN’s work, represents SWAN on a number of public bodies and leads SWAN’s policy work related to River Basin Management Planning and the EU Water Framework Directive. Sinéad has been a member of the Water Forum since 2017. Term of Office 1/2/2024-31/1/2027

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Newsletter No. 19 Spring 2025 is now available

Please find our latest Newsletter covering our work for Spring 2025. Find out about our engagements, policy submissions, research outputs and communications.   Water Forum Spring 2025 Newsletter  
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