In this episode of Amplified, we wrap up our special mini-series on sustainability with an episode discussing the importance of mindset shifts in achieving Ireland's 2030 renewable energy targets.

Henry Boucher and Terry Wilkinson, experts in renewable and civil engineering respectively, emphasise the impact of small changes in sustainability.

Terry highlights cost-effective measures like wildlife ladders for amphibians, while Henry focuses on early integration of biodiversity considerations in projects. Both stress the importance of community engagement, effective communication, and practical steps like reducing material use and measuring embodied carbon.

They advocate continuous improvement and collaboration to achieve broader sustainability goals.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• The need to move beyond technical fixes to sustainability mindset shifts
• How biodiversity can be enhanced through subtle project design changes
• The need to move beyond technical fixes to sustainability mindset shifts
• Designing infrastructure to cope with extreme weather
• Challenges in balancing safety, cost, and environmental benefit

GUEST DETAILS

Henry Boucher is a Civil, Environmental and Renewable Engineering Manager at ESB.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/henry-bouchier-271b6b18/#

Terry Wilkinson is a Design & Application Engineer at ACO Water Management. As a Civil Engineer for ACO, Terry has focused his career predominantly on the highways industry, both in his 11 years at ACO and prior to this working as a client, consultant and contractor for Local Authority highways. He is a member of the CIHT and is working towards his chartered engineer status with CPD at the heart of this journey. His professional interests are focused on wildlife mitigation solutions and highway surface water management; however, he also has a broader understanding of applications for other areas such as rail, housing, commercial and distribution developments. Biodiversity and wildlife are things he is also passionate about personally and he is actively involved in initiatives such as local toad patrols.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/terry-wilkinson-beng-mciht/

MORE INFORMATION

Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/

Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland.

QUOTES

We never get to net zero unless we have a wide variety of renewable energy sources, and then we have some backup

— Henry Boucher, Civil, Environmental and Renewable Engineering Manager at ESB

Often with sustainability, people have these massive identity, massive cost ideas... but often some of the smaller measures can really have positive impacts

— Terry Wilkinson, Design & Application Engineer at ACO Water Management

It's a mindset shift that has technical solutions. We just have to think a little bit differently how we do things

— Henry Boucher, Civil, Environmental and Renewable Engineering Manager at ESB

Everything in nature and wildlife is linked. If you have a decline of a certain species, it will have a knock-on effect to something else

— Terry Wilkinson, Design & Application Engineer at ACO Water Management

Do one thing right, and then you can go back and improve something else. Just improve one thing is probably the way to do it

— Henry Boucher, Civil, Environmental and Renewable Engineering Manager at ESB

KEYWORDS
#SustainableEngineering #RenewableEnergy #BiodiversityInfrastructure #ClimateInnovation

In this second episode of our Amplified sustainability series, host Dusty Rhodes dives deep into the future of sustainable transport in Ireland.

With the 2030 emissions deadline fast approaching, the focus turns to engineering, political will, and social change needed to revolutionise Ireland’s transportation system.

Joining Dusty are Professor Brian Caulfield, a leading transportation researcher from Trinity College Dublin, and Robert Sizer, Director of Engineering for UK at IESA, renowned for his expertise in major infrastructure projects like rail stations and tunnels.

Together, they unravel the real challenges behind meeting climate targets, from public acceptance to the transformative power of multimodal transport networks.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• The urgent 2030 transport emissions targets and what it will really take to meet them
• Why Ireland’s main transportation challenges are political and social, not technical
• Engineering solutions for decarbonising public transport: electric, hydrogen, and biofuels
• Real-world examples: Reimagining city spaces in Dublin, Madrid, London, and Barcelona
• The impact of major projects (metros, tunnels, and light rail) on urban life

GUEST DETAILS

Prof. Brian Caulfield, Professor in Transportation at Trinity College Dublin

Brian Caulfield is a Professor in Transportation at Trinity College Dublin. Since joining the Department Prof Caulfield has embarked on an intensive research program addressing global issues such as the environmental impacts of transport and methods to reduce the carbon impacts of transport and in 2017 he addressed the Irish Citizens Assembly on this topic. He recently provided advice to the Climate Change Advisory Council on pathways to decreasing transport emissions by 2030. Prof Caulfield is currently a member of the Steering Group for the review and update of the GDA Transport Strategy with the National Transport Authority.

Prof Caulfield has published over 200 papers in these areas and is also a member of a number of National and International research groups and is the former Chair of the Irish Transportation Research Network.

Rob Sizer, Director of Engineering for UK at AYESA

Rob is a Chartered Civil Engineer who is an experienced project manager in delivering large complex multi-disciplinary design projects. Rob is particularly experienced in managing and developing relationships with key clients and stakeholder. Such as London Underground, Overground and Thames Water and Crossrail. Rob has a strong technical background with over 15 years working across the civil engineering industry, and is highly experienced in the design delivery, process, standards and requirements for rail infrastructure, such as stations and tunnels.

MORE INFORMATION

Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/

Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland.

Quotes

"The real transportation challenge isn’t EVs—it’s humans. Social and political will, not engineering, are the hardest parts.” - Prof Brian Caulfield

"If engineers had the money, we’d be building metros and light rails right now. The solutions exist—the bottleneck is delivering them.” - Prof Brian Caulfield

"Sustainability isn’t just about the infrastructure; it’s about minimizing disruption for people and reusing space for public life.” - Robert Sizer

"Give more space back to people, and you change how cities work and how we live in them."

- Prof Brian Caulfield

"We need sustainability to be a contract KPI, not just a talking point. That’s how you get real change."

- Robert Sizer

In this episode of Amplified, host Dusty Rhodes kicks off a special mini-series on sustainability with a powerful conversation about engineering’s critical role in achieving Ireland’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He’s joined by Niamh Breslin of IDA Ireland and Richard Manton from the University of Galway.

Together, they explore the reality of decarbonisation, grid resilience, and the transformative influence engineers have—from infrastructure to leadership. With insights into green economy investment, education, and collaboration across sectors, this episode is both a wake-up call and a blueprint for a more sustainable Ireland.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• The central role engineers play in achieving Ireland’s climate targets
• IDA Ireland and their support of transformative investments in clean energy
• How University of Galway is driving change and embedding sustainability in education
• The importance of lifelong learning for engineers to adapt to a changing world
• The need for engineers to work with other scientific professionals, social scientists, and business leaders to solve sustainability challenges.

GUEST DETAILS

Niamh Breslin is Sustainability Manager at IDA Ireland. Niamh manages the development and implementation of IDA Ireland’s foreign direct investment Sustainability strategy, with a focus on decarbonisation of the FDI industry, and delivery of IDA Ireland’s commitments to the National Climate Action Plan.

Niamh has significant international experience and has successfully led teams in Dublin, London, Paris and Frankfurt. Niamh has a degree in Computational Linguistics from Dublin City University and a diploma in Business Management from University of Galway.

Dr Richard Manton is the Director of Sustainability at University of Galway, Ireland's leading university for sustainability and a National SDG Ambassador. He was previously the Registrar at Engineers Ireland and a Non-Executive Director at Bus Éireann.

Richard is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of Engineers Ireland with a BE in civil engineering, MA in financial management and a PhD in sustainable transportation. He is the current Chairperson of the Engineers Ireland West Region.

MORE INFORMATION

Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/

Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland.

Further information is also available at RESEARCH.UNIVERSITYOFGALWAY.IE

QUOTES

There are companies in Ireland today that will see their Scope 1 carbon emissions reduced by 100%. This is real. It’s happening

— Niamh Breslin, IDA Ireland

Graduates are choosing employers based on sustainability. If your climate action plan isn’t strong, you’ll lose talent

— Niamh Breslin, IDA Ireland

Even with all of these ambitious plans, we’re only on track to hit about 23% emissions reduction by 2030. We need to be more radical

— Richard Manton, University of Galway

Electrification and public transport are the key. It’s not just about EVs—it’s about moving people, en masse, sustainably

— Richard Manton, University of Galway

We need engineers who can speak finance—who can sit with CFOs and show where the savings are. That’s how we get buy-in

— Niamh Breslin, IDA Ireland

KEYWORDS

#SustainableDevelopmentGoals #NetZero #RenewableEnergy #GridResilience #OffshoreWind

Engineering has always been about solving problems—but today’s problems are bigger, greener, and more complex than ever before. From cutting carbon in concrete to tunnelling under major cities, the pressure is on to build infrastructure that’s not just strong, but sustainable.

In this episode, we explore what it really takes to deliver major engineering projects while meeting ambitious climate targets. We’ll hear how to lead under pressure, manage high-stakes decisions, and unlock career-defining opportunities through mentorship and curiosity. Plus, we look at how engineers can drive innovation from within—by asking the right questions, building strong teams, and embracing failure as a pathway to growth.

Our guest brings over 20 years of hands-on experience across some of the UK and Ireland’s biggest civil infrastructure projects, including Crossrail, the Limerick Tunnel, and the Luas Cross City. He’s passionate about decarbonising construction and shaping the next generation of engineering leaders. It’s a pleasure to welcome Ross Cullen, Group Chief Engineer and Head of Engineering Services at Sisk.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• The importance of people skills in the engineering industry
• The challenges in working on engineering projects underground and underwater
• How sustainability and decarbonisation play a role in engineering today
• The need for innovation and continuous improvement in an ever evolving industry
• Career development and ownership, and the importance of being inquisitive.

GUEST DETAILS

Ross Cullen is Group Chief Engineer and Head of Engineering Services at Sisk. He is responsible for developing and leading Engineering strategy for the organisation supporting pre-construction and current projects under construction across Ireland, the UK and Europe. In 2018, Ross established an Engineering Services department in Sisk, growing a business out of the Civil Engineering unit and created an internal consultancy to provide construction engineering consultancy services to the wider Group

Ross is a Chartered Civil Engineer and Fellow of Engineers Ireland and the Institute of Civil Engineers. His background extends from working on complex infrastructure schemes, where he has been central to the design management process. His experience extends across multiple sectors including Infrastructure, Civil Engineering, Marine, Data, Energy, Life Sciences, Commercial and Residential.

Ross is passionate about sustainability and seeking out carbon savings in the construction industry. Ross is chair of the Sisk Low Carbon Concrete working group and is actively involved in several collaborations with industry and academic institutes to support the development of new low carbon concrete solutions.

MORE INFORMATION

Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/

Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland.

QUOTES

Be inquisitive, ask questions, because people are incredibly generous with their time if you ask the questions and you show an interest. - Ross Cullen

You need to take some ownership for your own career. You need to decide fairly early what you like, what you don't like, because it's important to rule out certain things. - Ross Cullen

You learn from problems. You learn from what's caused you pain. You don't learn from what goes well - Ross Cullen

Coming up with a good idea is the easy bit with anything… sometimes making it better isn't the right thing to do. - Ross Cullen

Construction is a people business, and that's what makes it exciting. You meet different people, different skill sets, extremely diverse. - Ross Cullen

Building a stronger “Ireland Inc” means rethinking how we plan, deliver, and promote our engineering and infrastructure capabilities on a global stage.

Today, we’re diving into how Ireland can overcome some of its most pressing infrastructure delivery challenges—from modernizing procurement strategies to fostering more inclusive and resilient engineering teams. We’ll also explore why staff wellbeing, visibility, and collaboration are now essential pillars of successful project delivery, and examine the persistent barriers facing women in the profession.

Joining us is a chartered engineer and one of the youngest ever Fellows of Engineers Ireland, with over 20 years of multidisciplinary experience. She brings a rare combination of technical expertise and a deep passion for people, policy, and progress. It’s a pleasure to welcome Collette O’Shea, Head of Strategic Procurement for Ireland at AECOM.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• How personal values and purpose can shape career direction
• The role of creativity and continuous learning in engineering success
• Transforming Ireland’s procurement models for infrastructure delivery
• Work-life balance and the reality of burnout in engineering
• Women in engineering and the promise of AI

GUEST DETAILS
Colette O’Shea is Head of Strategic Procurement for Ireland at AECOM, she also holds the role of Project Director on several strategic infrastructure projects. A Chartered Engineer and one of the youngest individuals to attain Fellowship with Engineers Ireland, Colette has over two decades of multidisciplinary experience and has contributed to major public sector initiatives, including projects for the National Development Finance Agency, Irish Water, and Dublin Airport Authority.

Her academic background includes a BE in Civil Engineering from University College Dublin, complemented by further qualifications in project management, law, and coaching. A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, Colette chairs the Women in Engineering Group at Engineers Ireland, where she works to support and advance women in the engineering profession.

https://ie.linkedin.com/in/colette-o-shea-8178391a

MORE INFORMATION

Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/

Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland.

QUOTES

While there are rules in engineering, it's about applying them to the situation in front of you, which is different all the time. - Colette O’Shea

I don't know if it's a problem. I think I prefer to think of it as a challenge. - Colette O’Shea

We need to make the industry sustainable, and certainly in the infrastructure space, to make it attractive for companies. - Colette O’Shea

One of the main things that I learned from burnout was that having it and experiencing it was the complete opposite of failing at my job. - Colette O’Shea

You can make any mistake once and we will learn from it, but if you make the same mistake twice and don't learn, we'll have an issue. - Colette O’Shea

KEYWORDS

#Infrastructure #engineering #procurement #inclusivity #wellbeing #visibility #water #AI #burnout, #energy

What does it take to stay at the cutting edge of technology while also fostering innovation, sustainability, and personal growth?

Today, we explore how one global powerhouse continues to reinvent itself in Ireland through groundbreaking projects, strategic acquisitions, and a deep investment in people. From historic feats like the Ardnacrusha hydroelectric scheme to the rise of digital and AI, this episode covers the past, present, and future of engineering excellence. We’ll uncover how digitalization is revolutionizing infrastructure, and why a culture of continuous learning and collaboration is now more critical than ever.

Our guest began his journey as an apprentice electrician and rose through the ranks to help shape the future of one of Ireland’s most innovative engineering and technology companies. Now serving as General Manager and Head of Fire and Security Solutions at Siemens Ireland, it’s a pleasure to welcome Joe Walsh to the podcast.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• How the Ardnacrusha legacy still matters today’s engineering landscape
• Building a career from apprentice electrician to General Manager of Siemens Ireland
• Leveraging AI, digital twins, and automation to transform infrastructure
• Tackling global challenges like sustainability and resource efficiency
• Culture, collaboration & lifelong learning: a people-first approach

GUEST DETAILS
​Joe Walsh is the General Manager of Siemens Limited in Ireland, a role he has held since November 2021. He also heads the company's Solutions and Services division, overseeing areas such as fire safety, electronic security, building automation, and smart lighting .​

Joe is deeply committed to advancing sustainable and digital technologies, playing a pivotal role in projects like the Shannon Hydroelectric Scheme and initiatives aimed at decarbonizing data centers through renewable energy and green hydrogen solutions . His leadership extends to standardization efforts, serving as Chair of the NSAI TC16 Working Group on Fire Detection and Alarm Systems, where he has been instrumental in modernizing Ireland's fire safety standards .​

Known for his authentic leadership style, Joe emphasizes collaboration, continuous learning, and innovation. His dedication to these principles has been central to Siemens' century-long presence and ongoing success in Ireland .​

https://ie.linkedin.com/in/joewalsh1965

MORE INFORMATION

Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/

Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland.

QUOTES

Where is my passion? It's to take the current business that we have and the model that we have and bring it into the future. - Joe Walsh

We work really hard to create a sense of belonging and ownership. - Joe Walsh

It's not what you know today. It's more about how you learn. That's the real trick. - Joe Walsh

We have a term we use in Siemens, if Siemens knew what Siemens know. Experience is the sum of your mistakes. - Joe Walsh

KEYWORDS

#engineering #challenges #Siemens #infrastructure #fire #AI #digitaltwins #sustainability #innovation #leadership

Building in highly dense city centers presents a unique set of challenges—tight spaces, heavy traffic, and the need to preserve historical structures while meeting modern safety and sustainability standards.

Today we hear from an experienced engineer turned project manager who is an expert in navigating these complex logistics, from coordinating material deliveries with precision to ensuring that construction doesn’t disrupt the surrounding urban landscape. We hear how to safely excavate deep beneath a centuries-old building and what it takes to integrate modern engineering solutions into historic sites, along with the ever-growing importance of sustainability in engineering.

Our guest today has nearly 30 years of experience in construction across sectors such as pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and large-scale commercial projects. He is a regional director at PJ Hegarty, John Gavigan.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• Diverse and challenging projects keep work interesting
• Mastering logistics in city-center construction
• Blending modern engineering with historic structures
• Making safety the number one priority of any build
• The evolving role of sustainability in construction

GUEST DETAILS
John Gavigan joined PJ Hegarty in 1996 as a graduate engineer. He progressed within the company embracing new responsibilities and roles, completed several projects as Contracts Manager and was appointed as Regional Director in 2023. John’s experience includes projects across several sectors: pharmaceutical, city centre commercial, healthcare, semi-conductor, logistics, education, retail and PPP bids. He was the site lead for 10 Molesworth Street and Tropical Fruit Warehouse in Dublin city centre and the Zoetis project in Tullamore.

Molesworth Street project https://www.pjhegarty.ie/projects/10-molesworth-street/

Tropical Fruit Warehouse project https://www.pjhegarty.ie/projects/tropical-fruit-warehouse/

MORE INFORMATION

Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/

Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland.

QUOTES

The challenges are the things that you remember. That's what keeps it interesting. - John Gavigan

Getting concrete trucks into the city centre location in the middle of the day during business hours, was very challenging. - John Gavigan

It's knowing how to judge when there's an opportunity. - John Gavigan

As an engineer who has evolved as a project manager in my career, you learn different problem solving techniques, you develop analytical skills. - John Gavigan

KEYWORDS

#engineering #city #projectmanagement #construction #logistics #trafficmanagement #safety

The engineering industry thrives on innovation and problem-solving, yet it continues to struggle with one persistent challenge—gender diversity. Women remain underrepresented, particularly in leadership roles, leaving many aspiring female engineers wondering how to break through.

Today, we tackle this pressing issue head-on with insights from one of Ireland’s leading engineering voices. We uncover practical strategies for empowering more women into leadership, explore how inclusive teams drive better results, and reveal lessons from high-pressure projects like the London Olympics.

Our guest leads one of Ireland's most progressive engineering and design consultancies, and is a chartered engineer with a passion for change. It's a pleasure to welcome Atkins realis Managing Director, Martina Finn.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

• Meeting impossible deadlines on huge projects
• Necessary disruptions to provide long-term infrastructure
• Promoting diversity and inclusion in engineering
• Embracing AI with correct policy implementation
• Self-development and the power of reverse-mentoring

GUEST DETAILS
Martina Finn is Managing Director at Atkins Realis and a Chartered Engineer with over 20years experience in the construction industry. She has been with Atkins since 2001.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/martina-finn-a7400812/

MORE INFORMATION

Looking for ways to explore or advance a career in the field of engineering? Visit Engineers Ireland to learn more about the many programs and resources on offer. https://www.engineersireland.ie/

Engineers Journal AMPLIFIED is produced by DustPod.io for Engineers Ireland.

QUOTES

With every major progression we do, there has to be some disruption and some sacrifice. - Martina Finn

The percentage of women in engineering globally has fallen since 2020 from 15% to 13.7%. - Martina Finn

The more diverse our workforce is, both culturally and in gender diversity, then the better solutions we can deliver for our clients and our communities. - Martina Finn

For anybody entering a company, get into a mentorship programme. - Martina Finn

KEYWORDS

#Engineering #diversity #inclusion #mentorship #careerdevelopment #AI #projectmanagement #education #gender