Members

Tourism

STEVE CONLON

Role
- Tourism Sectoral Organisations -Steve is a self-employed consultant providing management services for the Irish Boat Rental Association. 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.
Youth

EIMEAR MANNING

Role
- Youth/Interest of 3rd Level Students - Eimear holds an M.S. in Environmental Sustainability (Marine Specification) and Joint B.A. Geographical Science & English. Eimear is a member of the Legal Recommendation Drafting Group, Council of Europe since 2023 which involves ongoing policy writing and reviewing the Council of Europe draft recommendation on Young People & Climate Action.
Trade Unions

KARAN O’LOUGHLIN

Role
- Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) -Karan is a full time official with the trade union SIPTU in Ireland since 2001. She holds a BBS in Business and Trade Union Studies from UCD and a Masters in HRM from the University of Limerick
Chairperson

DR MATTHEW CROWE

Role
- Independent Chair - Matt worked with the EPA since 1995 and has held Directorships with responsibility for Communications & Corporate Services & the Office of Evidence & Assessment. Prior to that, he worked in Canada conducting research in applied environmental sciences. Matt holds a BSc. and PhD from UCD.
Social Housing

DAVID WRIGHT

Role
- Irish Council for Social Housing - David has been a member of the Water Forum since the Public Water Forum. Initially representing the C&V Pillar and since 2020, The Irish Council for Social Housing.
Rivers Trusts

DR CONSTANZE O’TOOLE

Role
- Rivers Trusts in Ireland - Constanze has a BSc. in Freshwater Ecology, a PhD in Science and a PG Diploma in Environment Engineering and is Development manager for the Rivers Trusts in Ireland.
Recreation

CIARAN MAGUIRE

Role
- Water Recreational Sector - Ciaran is Director of Operations with Canoeing Ireland and has been involved in Water sports, as an athlete, business owner and NGB Director for almost 30 years. has
Rural Water

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 with interests in protecting & improving water resources to protect public health & the environment through implementation of targeted mitigation actions to tackle pollution risks, encouraging water conservation and promoting climate action & biodiversity initiatives.
Rural Water

MARK FARRELLY

Role
- CEO National Federation of Group Water Schemes- appointed by the Board in 2024, Mark wants to build on the achievements of the rural water sector to date.
General Consumers

KEITH HYLAND

Role
- Domestic Water Consumer -Keith is a freelance Lighting Director. Previously, he worked with RTÉ across the entire range of televised output. Keith joined the Public Water Forum as an Irish Water customer to pursue the principles of consumer rights. He is chair of the Water Services Standing Committee.
General Consumers

CONNIE ROCHFORD

Role
- Domestic Water Consumer - Connie 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. She is a founding member and treasurer of Wexford Volunteer Centre.
Forestry

MARIE DOYLE

Role
- Forestry Sectoral Organisations -Marie Doyle is a Lecturer in Forestry in UCD. 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.
Environment

CHARLES STANLEY SMITH

Role
- Represents the Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) Charles is a member of the National Advisory Group for Public Participation Networks (PPNs) and Tipperary PPN Secretariat. Charles was Chair of An Taisce 2006- 2011.
Environment

DR ELAINE Mc GOFF

Role
- The Environmental Pillar (IEN) - Elaine holds a PhD in Freshwater Ecology from TCD and 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.
Environment

SINEAD O’BRIEN

Role
- Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) -Sinéad has been leading the SWAN's work for over 16 years. She has a degree in Zoology from UCC and is a passionate advocate for the water environment. Sinéad represents SWAN on a number of public bodies and leads SWAN’s policy work related to RBMP and the EU WFD. Sinéad has been a member of the Water Forum since 2017.
Agriculture

TADHG BUCKLEY

Role
- Irish Farmers Association (IFA) - Tadhg is currently Director of Policy/Chief Economist with the IFA. Prior to that, Tadhg worked as Head of Agriculture with AIB Bank. He holds a BSc in Ag. Science from UCD and an MBA from UL. As a Nuffield Scholar - his study examined the role of dairy futures markets & other price risk management mechanisms in the EU Dairy Industry. A member of the Agricultural Science Association and a Qualified Financial Advisor.

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Water and Climate Conference a great success

Last week the Water Forum hosted a conference to discuss Managing Ireland's Water in a Changing Climate. The event was well attended by agencies with  roles and responsibilities for managing
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