Sean Finlay IAE, Minister Jack Chambers TD, Tim Murnane ACEI, Kathryn Meghen RIAI.
Academy President Sean Finlay and Special Advisor Tom Leahy were invited guests at the Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland (ACEI) annual conference held in Dublin on 5th June 2025.
The theme of the conference was Quantum Leap: Accelerating Ireland’s infrastructure and housing delivery sustainably.
The opening address was delivered by ACEI President Tim Murnane and the Ministerial Address was delivered by Minister Jack Chambers. Minister Chambers outlined the Government’s initiatives underpinning the National Development Plan.
There were three very interesting and relevant panel discussions
- Accelerating Sustainable Infrastructure and Housing Delivery Invited guests discussed how the infrastructure and housing envisaged within the NDP, NPF and Housing strategy can be delivered more efficiently and cost effectively
- Delivering Smart Sustainable Growth in Consulting Engineering – Panellists discuss how the Consulting Engineering sector can influence the economy and the construction industry’s digital and sustainability transition.
- Realising the Value of our work Panellists discussed how the industry can build on its talent capacity through attracting, developing and retaining people from all parts of society.
The keynote address was delivered by John Moran, Mayor of Limerick – John Moran is Ireland’s first directly elected mayor. He has worked on all sides of the public/private policy spectrum and unparalleled experience and insight into how things do and don’t get done in Ireland.
Ireland’s Consulting Engineers: Empowering communities globally; Irish consulting engineers have an outsized influence on communities globally including vulnerable communities in the developing world. Nowhere is this more evident than through Goal’s Watershare programme. Founder Jerry Grant FIAE provided an overview of the programme and its benefits to communities and the businesses that participate.
This was followed by a Networking Lunch with Gerard Howlin (Public Affairs Consultant & Irish Times Columnist) Political consultant/commentator, Gerard Howlin gave his view of the political situation in the run up to the next election as participants enjoyed lunch.
The Conference Closing Remarks were delivered by – Shane Dempsey, ACEI Director General
A very relevant and timely conference which followed IAE, ACEI and Engineers Ireland meeting with DPER on 3rd June 2025 on identifying barriers to infrastructure delivery and how to resolve them.