Senior Management

Dermot Byrne (Chief Executive ¦ Príomhfheidhmeannach)

Dermot Byrne was appointed Chief Executive of EirGrid in July 2005. A graduate of University College Dublin he holds a Masters in Electrical Engineering and a Masters in Business Administration. Prior to joining EirGrid, he worked at senior management level in the electricity industry in Ireland and abroad; this included serving in a variety of engineering and management roles in the operation of transmission systems and working on consultancy assignments in Bahrain. From 1993 to 1997 he held the post of Manager, Power System Operation, ESB National Grid. In the late 1990’s he worked in senior roles within the ESB’s customer services and power generation areas. In 2000, he was appointed to the newly created post of Head of ESB Networks. While in this post, he oversaw the major ramp-up of the ESB’s investment in transmission and distribution infrastructure. He is a Fellow of Engineers Ireland and he is also a distinguished member of the international electricity body CIGRE.  

Ceapadh Dermot Byrne ina Phríomhfheidhmeannach ar EirGrid in Iúil 2005. Is céimí de chuid Choláiste na hOllscoile, Baile Átha Cliath é agus tá Máistreacht aige in Innealtóireacht Leictreach agus Máistreacht i Riarachán Gnó. Sular tháinig sé ag obair le EirGrid, d’oibrigh sé ag leibhéal bainistíochta sinsearaí sa tionscal leictreachais in Éirinn agus thar lear; áirítear orthu seo róil éagsúla in innealtóireacht agus i mbainistíocht i réimse oibrithe córas tarchuir agus obair a rinne sé ar thascanna comhairliúcháin i mBairéin. Bhí sé ina Bhainisteoir ar Fheidhmiúchán Chóras Cumhachta Eangach Náisiúnta BSL ó 1993 go 1997. Go deireanach sna 1990aidí bhí róil shinsearacha aige i réimse seirbhísí do chustaiméirí agus i réimse giniúna cumhachta de chuid BSL. In 2000, ceapadh ina Cheannaire ar Líonraí BSL é, post nuachruthaithe. Agus é sa phost seo rinne sé maoirseacht ar an ardú mór infheistíochta a chuir BSL in infrastruchtúr tarchuir agus in infrastruchtúr dáilte. Tá sé ina Chomhalta d’Institiúid Innealtóirí na hÉireann agus is mórchomhalta é den chomhlacht leictreachais idirnáisiúnta CIGRE.

Niamh Cahill (Company Secretary and Company Lawyer ¦ Rúnaí Cuideachta agus Dlíodóir Cuideachta)

Lawyer Niamh Cahill is the Company Secretary and Company Lawyer for EirGrid plc the electricity Transmission System Operator and jointly with SONI Ltd the Single Electricity Market Operator for the Island of Ireland. Niamh a graduate of NUI Galway BA (Hons) and LL B (Hons) and holds a BL from King’s Inns, Dublin. She was called to the Bar in Ireland in 1985 and the UK Bar (Middle Temple Inn) in 1988. She has extensive experience both in private practice (Four Courts, Ireland) and as an in-house legal Counsel worked for a wide range of major international private and public companies in the Republic of Ireland and the UK. Prior to joining EirGrid, Niamh worked as a senior commercial Lawyer within ESB Group, where she had responsibility for managing and mitigating a wide range of commercial legal risks in the Irish electricity market and ESB’s international investments.

Tá Niamh Cahill ina Rúnaí Cuideachta agus ina Dlíodóir Cuideachta ag EirGrid, an tOibritheoir Córais Tarchuir agus, i gcomhar le SONI, an tOibritheoir Margaidh Leictreachais Aonair d’Oileán na hÉireann. Is céimí de chuid Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh, Niamh - BA (Onóracha) agus LLB (Onóracha) agus tá BL bainte amach aici ag Óstaí an Rí, Baile Átha Cliath. Glaodh chun an bharra in Éirinn uirthi i 1985 agus glaodh chun barra na Ríochta Aontaithe (Middle Temple Inn) uirthi i 1988. Tá taithí fhorleathan aici ar obair mar chleachtóir príobháideach (na Ceithre Chúirteanna, Éire) agus ar obair mar abhcóide dlí intí ar son cuideachtaí móra idirnáisiúnta poiblí agus príobháideacha i bPoblacht na hÉireann agus sa Ríocht Aontaithe freisin. Sular tháinig sí ag obair d’EirGrid, chaith sí ocht mbliana ina dlíodóir tráchtála sinsearach taobh istigh de Ghrúpa BSL áit a raibh sí freagrach as raon leathan rioscaí dlíthiúla tráchtála a bhainistiú agus a mhaolú maidir le margadh leictreachais na hÉireann agus le hinfheistíochtaí idirnáisiúnta BSL.

John Cloonan (Director, Human Resources ¦ Stiúrthóir Acmhainní Daonna)

John Cloonan joined EirGrid in 2002 as Human Resources Director. Prior to taking up this position, he worked for a number of years as Human Resources Director of Lucent Technologies, where his role also encompassed a number of European-wide responsibilities. Prior to that, he worked with AT&T, Amdahl and EG&G in various management positions including operations and human resources. In conjunction with his current role as Human Resources Director of EirGrid, he also holds responsibility for the Company’s communications and facilities functions.

Tháinig John Cloonan go EirGrid mar Stiúrthóir Acmhainní Daonna in 2002. Bhí sé ina Stiúrthóir Acmhainní Daonna in Lucent Technologies ar feadh roinnt blianta sular ghlac sé an post seo agus bhí freagrachtaí air sa phost sin as ceisteanna uile-Eorpacha chomh maith. Roimhe sin, d’oibrigh sé le AT&T, la Amdahl agus le EG&G agus bhí poist bhainistíochta éagsúla aige lena n-áirítear bainistíocht feidhmiúcháin agus bainistíocht acmhainní daonna. I gcomhar leis an ról atá aige faoi láthair mar Stiúrthóir Acmhainní Daonna in EirGrid, tá freagracht air freisin as feidhmeanna cumarsáide agus feidhmeanna saoráidí na Cuideachta.

Andrew Cooke (Director, Grid Development and Commercial ¦ Stiúrthóir Forbartha Eangaí agus Tráchtála)

 In his role as Director, Grid Development and Commercial, Andrew Cooke is responsible for the planning, development and maintenance of the transmission grid. He also holds responsibility for the design and implementation of transmission access and tariff arrangements, as well as responsibility for customer relations and regulatory relations. A graduate of Queens University Belfast, he holds a BSC in Electrical Engineering. He has more than 25 years’ experience of working in the areas of transmission system operations and planning, market design, and regulation.

Agus é ina Stiúrthóir Forbartha Eangaí agus Tráchtála, tá Andrew Cooke freagrach as pleanáil, as forbairt agus as cothabháil na heangaí tarchuir. Tá sé freagrach freisin as dearadh agus feidhmiú na socruithe rochtana ar an gcóras tarchuir agus na socruithe taraife, chomh maith le bheith freagrach as an gcaidreamh le custaiméirí agus as an gcaidreamh le comhlachtaí rialála. Is céimí é de chuid Ollscoil na Banríona, Béal Feirste agus tá Baitsiléir Eolaíochta bainte amach aige in Innealtóireacht Leictreach. Tá taithí breis agus 25 bliain aige ar obair i réimse oibríochtaí córais tarchuir, sa réimse pleanála, sa réimse dearadh margaidh agus i réimse an rialaithe.

Robin McCormick (General Manager, SONI Ltd, General Manager SEMO: Bainisteoir Ginearálta, SONI Ltd, Bainisteoir Ginearálta SEMO)

Robin McCormick has 28 years experience in the power industry in a regulated utility environment. EirGrid acquired SONI in 2009 and since then has further widened his current responsibilities as General Manager of the System Operator Northern Ireland (SONI Ltd) to take responsibility for SEMO, the single electricity market operator. SONI partnered with five organisations – EirGrid, DETI, DCENR, NIAUR and CER – to establish the Single Electricity Market in 2007. He leads a professional team of staff to deliver system and market operation services,  He has participated in the board to establish the transmission system operators regional association ENTSO-E. Robin is a fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology and Vice Chairman of the IET Engineering Policy Group – Northern Ireland. He holds an MBA from the University of Ulster, Jordanstown, and an MSc from Napier University, Edinburgh.

Tá taithí thart ar 28 bliain ag Robin McCormick sa tionscail chumhacht i dtimpeallacht fóntas rialaithe. Cheannaigh EirGrid SONI i 2009 agus ó an ám sin tá Robin tar éis a bhfreagrachtaí a leathnú ó Bainisteoir Ginearálta Córas Oibritheoir Tuaisceart na hÉireann chun freagairt do SEMO, oibritheoir margadh leictreachtas siongal, a thógaint suas chomh maith. Thosaigh SONI pairtíocht le 5 eagríochtaí, EirGrid, DETI, DCENR, NIAUR, agus CER, chun an Margadh Leictreachas Siongal a chruthú i 2007. Tá Robin i gceannas ar forieann gairmiúil chun seirbhísí oibriúchán córas agus margadh a thabhairt. Bhí sé páirteach sa coiste a bhí ag chruthú ENTSO-E, comhlachas réigiúnach don oibritheoir córas iompar. Is comhalta é Robin len institiúid innealtóireacht agus teicneolaíocht. Freisin tá sé mar leascathaoirleach don IET Grúpa Polasaí Innealtóireachta i dTuaisceart na hÉireann. Tá Máistrí de Riarachán gnó aige ó Ollscoil Uladh, i mBaile Fearainn, agus Máistrí de Eolaíocht aige ó Ollscoil Napier, i nDún Éidean.

Ann Scully (Director, Information Services ¦ Stiúrthóir Seirbhísí Eolais)

Prior to becoming EirGrid’s Director of Information Services, Ann Scully was Director of the All-island Project. Together with her counterpart in SONI, she was responsible for the programme to achieve the establishment of the all-Island Single Electricity Market (SEM) by the agreed ‘go live’ deadline of 01 November 2007. Prior to taking on this project , she held a number of managerial and project roles in ESB National Grid and ESB, including establishing the wholesale electricity market in Ireland in 2000 and CEO of ESBI Alberta Ltd, the Transmission Administrator in Alberta, Canada. A graduate of Trinity College, she holds a degree in Electrical Engineering.

Bhí Ann Scully ina Stiúrthóir ar an Tionscadal Uile-Oileáin sular ceapadh í ina Príomh-Oifigigh Eolais le EirGrid. In éineacht lena comhghleacaí in SONI, bhí sí freagrach as an gclár chun Margadh Leictreachais Aonair (SEM) d’oileán uile na hÉireann a bhunú don spriocdháta gníomhaithe comhaontaithe, 1 Samhain 2007. Sular thug sí faoin tionscadal seo bhí roinnt poist tionscadail agus bainistíochta aici le hEangach Náisiúnta BSL agus le BSL, lena náirítear an margadh leictreachais mórdhíola in Éirinn a bhunú in 2000 agus bhí sí ina Príomhfheidhmeannach ar ESBI Alberta Ltd, Riarthóir Tarchuir in Alberta Cheanada. Is céimí de chuid Coláiste na Tríonóide, Baile Átha Cliath í a bhfuil céim bainte amach aici in Innealtóireacht Leictreach.

Aidan Skelly (Chief Financial Officer ¦ Príomh-Oifigeach Airgeadais)

Aidan Skelly joined EirGrid as Chief Financial Officer in June 2005. He was previously Finance Director with Waterford Stanley Limited. He worked with Waterford Crystal from 1987 to 2002, during which time he held a number of finance and commercial positions in Ireland and in the UK. He trained as a Chartered Accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers and is a Commerce graduate of University College Dublin. He also holds an MBS from Dublin City University.

Tháinig Aidan Skelly go EirGrid mar Phríomh-Oifigeach Airgeadais i Meitheamh 2005. Bhí sé ina Stiúrthóir Airgeadais le Waterford Stanley Limited roimhe sin. D’oibrigh sé le Waterford Crystal ó 1987 go dtí 2002 mar a raibh roinnt post airgeadais agus tráchtála aige in Éirinn agus sa Ríocht Aontaithe le linn an ama sin. Fuair sé oiliúint Chuntasóireachta Cairte le PricewaterhouseCoopers agus is céimí i dTráchtáíl de chuid Ollscoil na hÉireann, Baile Átha Cliath é. Tá Máistreacht i Staidéar Gnó (MBS) bainte amach aige in Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath.

Fintan Slye (Director, Operations ¦ Stiúrthóir Feidhmiúcháin)

Fintan Slye assumed the position of Director of Operations at EirGrid in January 2007, having previously worked for McKinsey & Co in their Dublin office. Prior to that, he held a number of project and management roles in ESB National Grid and ESB International. He is a graduate of University College Dublin, from which he holds a Masters in Engineering Science and a Masters in Business Administration.

Ceapadh Fintan Slye ina Stiúrthóra Fheidhmiúcháin le EirGrid in Eanáir 2007, tar éis dó a bheith ag obair le McKinsey & Co ina n-oifig i mBaile Átha Cliath. Bhí roinnt post tionscadail agus bainistíochta aige le hEangach Náisiúnta BSL agus le BSL idirnáisiúnta roimhe sin. Is céimí de chuid Ollscoil na hÉireann, Baile Átha Cliath é, agus tá Máistreacht aige san Eolaíocht Innealtóireachta agus Máistreacht i Riarachán Gnó.

Michael Walsh (Director, Corporate Affairs and Strategy: Stiúrthóir, Gnóthaí Corparáideacha agus Straitéise)

Michael Walsh joined EirGrid as Director of Corporate Affairs and Strategy in September 2011. Prior to joining EirGrid, Michael was the Chief Executive of the Irish Wind Energy Association. Previous to this, Michael was manager of market development at EirGrid where he played a key role in the successful development of the Single Electricity Market.  His other previous roles include Manager of Ancillary Services at EirGrid and a lecturer in Electronic Engineering at UCD.  Michael was a board member of the European Wind Energy Association between 2008 and 2011.  Michael has a B.E., a Ph.D. and an MBA from UCD. He is a Fellow of Engineers Ireland.

Thosaigh Michael Walsh ag oibriú le EirGrid mar Stiúrthóir Gnóthaí Corparáideacha agus Straitéise i mí Mheán Fómhair 2011. Sular thosaigh sé ag oibriú le EirGrid, bhí Michael ina Phríomhfheidhmeannach ar Chumann na Gaoithe Teo. Roimhe seo, bhí Michael ina bhainisteoir ar chúrsaí forbairt margaidh in EirGrid, áit a raibh ról ríthábhachtach aige maidir le forbairt rathúil an Mhargaidh Aonair Leictreachais. Lena chois sin, bhí sé ina Bhainisteoir Fosheirbhísí in EirGrid, agus bhí sé ina léachtóir san Innealtóireacht Leictreonach sa Choláiste Ollscoile, Baile Átha Cliath. Bhí Michael ina bhall de bhord Chumann Fuinneamh Gaoithe na hEorpa (European Wind Energy Association) idir 2008 agus 2011. Tá B.E., PhD agus MBA bainte amach aige ón gColáiste Ollscoile, Baile Átha Cliath. Tá sé ina Chomhalta d’Innealtóirí na hÉireann (Engineers Ireland).