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Minister Darragh O’Brien TD. (invited)
Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy & Minister for Transport. TD for Dublin Fingal East Darragh O'Brien is an elected TD for the Dublin-Fingal constituency. In January 2025, he was appointed to his current roles. Prior to this, he served as Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage from June 2020 to January 2025. Minister O'Brien was first elected to the Dáil in 2007 and has been a prominent member of Fianna Fáil throughout his political career. He previously served as a Senator in Seanad Éireann following the 2011 general election. Before entering national politics, he was elected to Fingal County Council in 2004. His professional background is in financial services. |
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Maurice Ryan
Director of Business Development Green Belt and IrBEA President Maurice Ryan is the Director of Business Development at Green Belt, Ireland’s largest private forestry management company, which has overseen the planting of over 400,000 acres of private forestry since its founding in 1982. He holds a Marketing degree from Dublin Business School and an MBA with Distinction from Trinity College Dublin. In his role, Maurice drives nature-based solutions that integrate biodiversity enhancement, carbon capture and ecosystem services for both corporate and private landowners. He also serves as President of the Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) advocating for sustainable forestry and bioenergy development nationally. |
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Sean Crowley
Large Industrial and Renewable Gas Sales Manager Gas Networks Ireland Sean Crowley is the Large Industrial & Renewable Gas Sales Manager at Gas Networks Ireland and has responsibility for industrial scale new connections coupled with Biomethane plants seeking connection to the gas network. Key focus is on decarbonisation of the gas network by 2050 through enablement of Biomethane at scale to support the delivery of Ireland’s Net Zero targets. Sean has worked in the energy sector for over 15 years, having previously held roles as Industrial and Commercial Sales Manager with Gas Networks Ireland where he sought to drive the penetration of lower carbon fuels in the Industrial and Commercial sector while seeking to expand the gas network to new towns. While serving as a Key Account Manager with Bord Gáis Energy Sean was responsible for delivering customer tailored energy solutions for large industrial and commercial customers including procurement strategies & contracts for energy while exploring energy efficiency opportunities. |
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Pauline O'Reilly
CEO, Irish District Energy Association Pauline O'Reilly is the CEO of the Irish District Energy Association, which represents the emerging district heating sector in Ireland. A Galwegian, she has been a Senator and Chair of the Green Party, as well as a solicitor. |
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Ennio Prizzi
Senior Policy Officer, Bioenergy Europe Ennio engages closely with EU institutions and stakeholders to provide analysis and policy recommendations that foster investment and regulatory clarity for the bioenergy sector. He has a legal background and more than five years of professional experience in EU affairs, with expertise spanning public affairs, project management and policy research in the fields of climate action, innovation and sustainable development. Ennio also coordinates the Working Group on Carbon Dioxide Removal, a forum where Bioenergy Europe’s members analyse policy options for the development of bio-based carbon removal technologies. |
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Lucile Sever
Senior Policy Advisor, European Biogas Association Lucile Sever is a Senior Policy Advisor in charge of following the Circular Economy dossiers. She is dealing with legislation related to agriculture and environment and coordinates the EBA Working Group Circular Economy. Before joining EBA in January 2023, Lucile worked for INRAE – the French Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment – for three years implementing the advocacy strategy of the Institute and assisting researchers in the emergence of new EU projects. Previously, Lucile worked as a public and legal affairs officer in the Wine and Spirits sector. |
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Chris Walters
Senior Advisor, Greengate Biogas Chris is a senior advisor at Greengate Biogas and has 25 years’ experience working in the gas business. For the last 8 years his work has focused on renewable gases particularly biogas and biomethane. At Greengate Chris works on the commercial, regulatory and policy side of the business engaging with potential offtakers with respect to the sale of Greengate’s future biomethane production and with government and regulatory agencies with respect to matters impacting the development of the biomethane industry in Ireland. He has extensive experience in gas and biomethane contracting and negotiation, policy and regulation as well as in international gas and LNG markets. |
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Karen Doyle
Head of Business Development Gas Networks Ireland Karen is the Head of Business Development at Gas Networks Ireland. Karen is responsible for the development and implementation of the company’s renewable gas programmes to replace natural gas with renewable gases, such as biomethane and hydrogen, complementing intermittent renewable electricity and supporting Ireland’s journey to a cleaner energy future. Karen has worked in the energy sector for over 18 years, having previously been Head of Energy and Infrastructure at Ulster Bank where she structured and delivered a number of landmark projects across the sector, including onshore wind (Ireland & UK), offshore development projects in UK, CCGT, biomass and waste to energy projects together with a number of portfolios of windfarm assets for both utility and fund clients. Karen has also lectured on Sustainable Energy Finance at DCU and is a Board Member of Wind Energy Ireland. She holds an MBS in Financial Services from UCD Smurfit Business School and a BComm International (German) from UCD. |
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Dr. John MacNamara
Head of Corporate Sustainability, Bord na Móna Dr. John MacNamara is the Head of Corporate Sustainability at Bord na Móna, an Irish semi-state company transitioning from a fossil fuel-based operation to a provider of climate solutions. In this role, he leads the development and implementation of the company's sustainability strategy, focusing on low-carbon renewable energy, the circular economy, and land use management. Dr. MacNamara holds a PhD in Chemistry, an LLB in Irish Law, and a diploma in Corporate Finance. His career includes over two decades in the energy and environmental sectors, with experience in renewable electricity and resource recovery. Before joining Bord na Móna, he worked as a senior scientist at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and held positions in the private environmental sector. |
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Kenneth Worrell
Managing Director, Worrell Timber Group This is a family-run business with over 30 years of experience in the Irish forestry sector. Under his leadership, Worrell Timber Group has grown into one of Ireland’s most respected forestry operations, providing a full-service offering that includes harvesting, haulage and biomass supply. The company contracts for some of the country’s largest sawmills, managing thinning and clearfell operations while retaining pulpwood for chip wood and bioenergy production. Since expanding into haulage in 1998, Worrell Timber Group now operates a large fleet of adaptable trucks and trailers, offering national and international logistics solutions. Kenneth’s commitment to sustainable forestry and innovation in bioenergy positions the company as a key contributor to Ireland’s renewable energy future. |
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Bernie Guinan
Director of Circular Economy and Environment Fehily Timoney and Company Bernie bringing over 20 years of experience in waste management and environmental consultancy. She leads projects in environmental impact assessment, planning and infrastructure development, with a focus on circular economy solutions. Bernie has managed major projects including anaerobic digestion facilities, landfill remediation and public procurement processes. She holds a BSc and MSc in Environmental Science, along with diplomas in Pollution Assessment & Control and Business Development and is a member of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management. As a company director, she plays a key role in the strategic direction of Fehily Timoney. |
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Fergus Sharkey
Head of Business Supports and Transport Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Fergus leads programmes that help businesses, the public sector and transport operators improve energy efficiency and cut carbon emissions. With a background in electrical engineering and a PhD in offshore renewable energy systems, he has over 20 years of experience in energy innovation and infrastructure. Before joining SEAI, Fergus worked in wave energy research and development. At SEAI, he oversees grants, advisory services, and training programmes that support the uptake of renewables, including bioenergy and electric vehicles. A frequent contributor to national policy discussions and energy events, Fergus champions practical and scalable solutions to help Ireland achieve its climate and energy goals. |
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Ian Marshall OBE
Head of Business Development and Policy, Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy (CASE), Queens University, Belfast Ian Marshall is Head of Business Development and Policy at the Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy (CASE), Queen's University Belfast (QUB), where he facilitates strategic connections between research, industry and government on renewable energy, decarbonisation and the green circular bioeconomy. Previously, he held a similar role at QUB at the Institute for Global Food Security (IGFS), advancing research-industry collaboration across food integrity, agricultural and environmental resilience, nutrition and preventative medicine, enabling technologies, and data analytics. In 2018, Ian was elected as an Independent Senator to Seanad Éireann, becoming the first Ulster Unionist ever elected to the upper chamber of the Irish Parliament, where he served until 2020. Ian studied Agriculture at Greenmount College, and holds an MSc in Agri-Food Business Development from Ulster University and Babson College, Boston, USA. He is a Professional Member of the Institute of Agricultural Management, having completed his training through the Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester. As former President of the Ulster Farmers' Union and former member of the Northern Ireland Agri-Food Strategy Board, Ian has extensive experience representing agricultural and rural interests across Belfast, London, Dublin, and Brussels. |
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Niamh Hamill,
Assistant Principal Officer, Department of the Energy, Climate and Communications (DECC) Niamh is an Assistant Principal Officer in the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications where she plays a key role in Ireland’s transition to renewable heat. Based in the Heat Delivery Unit, Niamh is currently leading the development of the Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO), a policy instrument designed to increase the uptake of renewable energy in the heat sector. She is also centrally involved in the implementation of Ireland’s National Biomethane Strategy, which aims to scale up indigenous biomethane production as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. With a background in public policy and environmental governance, Niamh brings valuable expertise in policy design, stakeholder engagement, and legislative development. |
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Ger Crosse
Commercial Director, Woodco Renewable Energy Vice President, IrBEA Ger Crosse is Commercial Director of Woodco Renewable Energy. The company has a manufacturing facility in Co. Tipperary, as well as offices in Ireland and the UK and has supplied boiler systems across Ireland, the UK, Europe, the United States and Canada. Woodco offers a range of domestic and commercial biomass heating solutions and recently expanded their range to distribute larger systems of 500kW and over. Now, some 50 years after the family company produced its first boiler, Woodco Renewable Energy still provides cost-effective and sustainable biomass energy solutions. |
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John Sherlock
Managing Director, Sherlock Warehousing and Trading John Sherlock is the founder of Sherlock Warehousing (specialising in food storage), Sherlogs Firewood, and Sherlogs Craft Timber, which focuses on custom sawmilling and craft timber production. Based in Gainstown—home to the Sherlock family for six generations—John also manages 50 acres of mixed forestry, maintains a sheep herd and oversees firewood production, established in 2013. Prior to this, he ran his own transport company for 20 years and served as a director in the family wool export business. An active voice in these sectors, John co-founded the North East Forestry Group in 2013, has been a member of both the Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) and the Wood Fuel Quality Assurance (WFQA) scheme and has served on the committee of the Irish Road Hauliers Association. |
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Niamh Guihen
Assistant Principal Officer, Department of Transport Niamh Guihen is an Assistant Principal Officer in the Department of Transport, based in the Climate Adaptation, Research and Energy Division. Niamh’s focus is the implementation of the Renewable Transport Fuel Policy to ensure supply of sustainable renewable energy in transport and support delivery of national and European targets and obligations. |
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Barry Caslin
Energy & Rural Development Specialist Teagasc Barry Caslin's role involves advising and supporting farmers in integrating renewable energy, improving energy efficiency and exploring diversification opportunities in rural areas. Barry works on projects ranging from solar PV deployment, microgeneration, anaerobic digestion, and biomass energy to helping farms reduce costs via energy audits and better energy management. Barry is also involved in promoting farm diversification through training programmes, factsheets and government support schemes, helping farmers assess new income streams beyond traditional farming. |
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Noel Gavigan
Technical Executive, IrBEA Noel Gavigan is the Technical Executive for IrBEA since 2010, his main role is project delivery, technical backup for members and management of the Wood Fuel Quality Assurance (WFQA) Scheme. Noel has worked centrally on some of IrBEA’s main projects including the Biomass Trade Centres, Biogas3, Digestate Standards, Midlands Bioenergy Development Project and Small-scale Biogas Demonstration EIP Project. |
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Declan Murray MBA
CEO, Biocore Environmental Declan Murray is Chief Executive Officer of Biocore Environmental, bringing extensive experience from both the public and private sectors. He holds an MBA in Business Administration from UCD and his expertise in business process re-engineering and strategic analysis has been pivotal in the development and operation of two Anaerobic Digestion plants located in the UK and Ireland, with a combined output of 9MW. Under his leadership, Biocore Environmental also manages over 100,000 tonnes of sludge and biosolid services annually, catering to a diverse clientele across public and private sectors. Declan is committed to the strategic expansion of its network of biomethane anaerobic digestion plants across Ireland. |
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Seán Finan
CEO, IrBEA Seán Finan is the Chief Executive Officer of the Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA). He is a Chartered Engineer and holds a Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Hons) Degree from National University of Ireland, Galway. Prior to joining IrBEA, Seán worked in the construction sector and held the role of 35th National President of Macra na Feirme, the young farmers representative organisation, from 2015 – 2017. Seán leads IrBEA and its members to a sustainable future in bioenergy and to strategically position the biomass, biogas, biofuels, biochar, wood fuels and energy crop sectors to play a key role in Ireland’s renewable energy roadmap. |
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Stephen McCormack
Project Executive, IrBEA Stephen holds a bachelor’s degree in Energy, Sustainability and the Environmental Science from IT Sligo and a postgraduate in Environmental Sustainability from UCD. Stephen's focus in IrBEA includes the delivery of several Interreg NW Europe projects. Following the successful completion of the fore-runner projects THREE C and RE-DIRECT which explored the development of biochar based circular carbon economies, Stephen is now working on the Interreg project CASCADE - Circular Conversion Cascades to Transform Residual Biomass to Carbon Products, a project which sees County Donegal chosen as a pilot region. Prior to joining IrBEA, he worked for a number of years with the Regional Development team at the Western Development Commission. |
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Julie-Ann O'Reilly
Business Unit Manager, Biofuel Division, College Group Julie-Ann O’Reilly is the Business Unit Manager for the Biofuel Division at College Group, Ireland’s leading bio-waste management company. In her role, she oversees the production and development of advanced biofuels derived from waste materials such as used cooking oil and animal fats. Julie-Ann plays a key role in managing operations at College Group’s state-of-the-art facilities. Under her leadership, the division supports Ireland’s transition to a circular, low-carbon economy by transforming food industry waste into high-quality renewable fuel. She works closely with the food service sector and government stakeholders to drive innovation in sustainable energy and waste management. |
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