Council’s Spring Corporate Lunch in Dublin

E.S.B. Chief Executive Addresses Council Spring Corporate Lunch in Dublin

U.S. Embassy’s Robert Faucher also keynotes

The Council's Spring Corporate lunch meeting held in Dublin on May 1 was a sold-out affair at which two speakers delivered interesting and thought-provoking remarks.

Padraig McManus, the Chief Executive of the Electricity Supply Board - Ireland's principal utility in generating electric power - delivered an address in which he described the company's capital investment plans - $33 billion to be spent over the next twelve years, approximately half of which will be directed to renewable energy sources.

Mr McManus said the Irish and global energy industry is facing a crisis unless bold steps are taken to address the chronic shortage of engineering graduates. He added that all engineering stakeholders, including the energy industry, must support Government in reinvigorating an interest in the science subjects. "We must support Government in second-level education to rekindle interest among young students who perceive science subjects as being too difficult. Engineering across the globe appears to have lost its attraction which is an extremely serious development given the huge challenges facing industry. There are 700 engineers working in ESB. However, if the current decline in electrical engineering graduates continues, it will become increasingly difficult to fill future vacancies", he said.

Mr McManus also noted that the infrastructural challenges ahead demand significant numbers of electrical engineers. "The crisis we face lies in the supply of engineers becoming increasingly depleted. It is up to the industry and other stakeholders to work with Government to ensure that a solid stream of engineering graduates is established. We must all focus on second-level to engender interest in the faculty", he said.

Also addressing the Council gathering was the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Dublin, Robert Faucher, who discussed some key issues of importance in the relationships between America and Ireland. He noted that plans are at an advanced stage for air passengers between Ireland and the U.S. to clear U.S. customs on the ground in Ireland before departure. Currently, most flights clear only through U.S. immigration procedures in Ireland before take-off.