issn no. 0790-7508

The newspaper for Dec 2010 / Jan 2011 www.esb.ie/em

ESB HALO LAUNCH Energy solutions Page 12

ESBI wins Chief Executive Christmas Engineers message Ireland CPD news, page 03 Company of the Year Award 8ESBI was recently announced winner of the Large Company Category Bring the Light News Award at the Engineers page 09 Ireland CPD Company of the Year Awards 2010

The award, which was pre- sented to ESBI by the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan TD, rec- ognises ESBI’s work in design- i n g a nd i mple me nt i n g t he P r o je c t Delivery Model (PDM) for large- Women in scale capital projects and the creation of a permanent Project Engineering Management Office (PMO) to ESBI support the ongoing develop- page 21 ment and improvement of the methodology. As part of this process, ESBI undertook an organisation-wide initiative to improve the effi- ciency and effectiveness of the delivery of large-scale capital projects in ESB. The initiative, which was informed by a strate- gic review of major capital projects previously undertaken by ESB, drew extensively on a range of CPD methodologies to instil a sustainable and consist- ent approach to project manage- In this issue ment which will ultimately sup- port the realisation of ESB’s n News...... 02. strategic objectives and meet n Energy Solutions...... 12. the challenges of a rapidly n ESB Networks Ltd ...... 16. changing energy sector. n ESB Energy International. . . . 19. A HaPPy and peaceful CHRISTMAS TO ALL n Health & Habitat...... 29. Continued on page 2 n Life ...... 34. 2 NEWS Dec 2010 / Jan 2011 www.esb.ie/em

Draw results Continued from page 1 SPORTSCO October 2010 DRAW The CPD Company of the Year tional said, “We are delighted to be Editor’s awards, now in their seventh year, honoured with this prestigious Prize Name, Location recognise organisations that have award which recognises the fore- €3,000 Eamonn O’Connell, retired demonstrated clear-cut business sight of ESB in undertaking such an €1,500 Padraig Somers, retired benefits arising directly from their initiative and the hard work and €1,000 Andrew Heaslip, retired desk use of CPD practices in developing dedication of all those involved in €200 James Byrden, retired engineering employees to realise in- its successful delivery to date. Ear- €200 Fintan Colgan, PowerGen novative projects and initiatives. ly indications demonstrate the po- €200 John Howard, retired Speaking after the announcement tential for this project to deliver a €200 William Phang, ESBI of the award, Pat O’Doherty, Execu- significant return on organisational €200 Deirdre Heffernan, PowerGen tive Director, ESB Energy Interna- investments”. n €200 Derek Hamilton, South Lotts bernie healy SPORTSCO november 2010 DRAW Prize Name, Location Hello and welcome €3,000 James Murphy, retired to the Christmas edition of EM. €1,500 Orna McKay, Dundalk This is often the time of year for reflection, for looking back at €1,000 Anne O’Rourke, Wilton the happenings of the year and how, for better or worse, we have €200 Desmond Maguire, retired fared through it all. €200 Patrick O’Brien, retired Many of us have colleagues, as well as family and friends, who €200 Peter Manning, retired have been touched by serious tragedies or illnesses. Most of us know friends or relations who are struggling with finances and €200 Brian Caffrey, retired trying to keep their homes together. €200 John Seale, Tallaght However, through it all and the many stories of despair, there €200 Daniel Dunne, VSS is as always in times like these, many wonderful stories where friends, neighbours, colleagues and groups have been doing RESULTS OF MADSOC DRAW (l-r): Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan TD; Jacinta Ryan, Project amazing work in a voluntary capacity to help people through FOR August 2010 Management Specialist; Project Management Office, ESBI Engineering; Ollie Brogan, Acting some of the darkest moments in their lives. Prize Name Executive Director, Group HR, ESB and John Power, Director General, Engineers Ireland. The recent roadshow hosted by ESB ElectricAID Ireland, €2000 Alan Gibson which travelled from Dublin to Waterford, Cork, Limerick and €150 Paddy Turner Sligo was in itself an enlightening event to the many ESB staff €150 Colm Bolger who attended the various presentations made by organisations who deal with the tragedies that are suicide and homelessness. €150 John Mitchell Many would admit that while they supported the causes they €150 Amie Moles had never, at first hand, come so close to understanding what is €150 Anne O’Flaherty behind these two scourges of our society. Neither subjects are straightforward and there is usually no one reason why people RESULTS OF MADSOC DRAW find themselves driven to the despair of taking their own lives. September 2010 Neither is there often a single factor which leaves somebody Prize Name homeless but rather a chain of events. The representatives from €2000 Laurence Heery a wide range of charities around the country gave us insightful €150 Nancy Taylor presentations which were very well received by all those present and left us in no doubt of how much in need of funds these €150 Robert Casey organisations are. They themselves were truly inspiring people €150 Con Martin who give so much to a wide range of bodies. €150 Maria Brady This Christmas more than ever, they will be hard pressed to €150 Gerard Mooney d e l i v e r s e r v i c e s t o a g r o w i n g n u m b e r o f p r o b l e m s . P l e a s e (l-r): Greg Hanna, Technical Capability Development Manager, ESBI Engineering; Ollie Brogan, remember those in most need at this particular time of the year John Power, Jacinta Ryan, Lionel Alexander, President of the American Chamber of Commerce and be grateful and appreciative of good health and happiness. ESB MADSOC is and Managing Director of Hewlett-Packard Manufacturing; Billy Byrne, HR Manager, ESB Energy May we wish you and your loved ones a happy and peaceful International & Manager ESBI Engineering Solutions; and Michael Loughnane, Manager, Leadership Christmas and New Year. mad about musicals and People Development, Group HR, ESB. Missing from the Photograph but in attendance were: Mick Mackey, Head of Engineering, ESBI Engineering and Orla Maher, HR Development Manager, Well who isn’t? But MADSOC’s new ESB Energy International. show, “Mad about Musicals”, hits the stage of the National Concert Hall (NCH) on 6th March 2011. It’s been nearly 6 EM welcomes news, views, articles, Closing date: letters, photos and feedback on any Competitions and crosswords must years since the last MADSOC production, topic. All submitted articles should be returned by Jan 13th. also in NCH in 2005. But the wait will preferably be e-mailed. Deadlines: The deadline for articles, have been worthwhile. photos, etc. for the next issue is Jan Make the most of IT ! Please contact: 13th. We are always delighted to Directed by Christine Scarry and with a  Colour Code your Calendar using Customised Labels Bernie Healy, Editor receive items for publication. full orchestra under the baton of Gay Kir- T (01) 702 7402 (office) When using Calendar in MS Outlook, all entries look the same whether wan, this new production contains some they are Appointments, Meeting Requests or inserted items. You can extn. 27402 (internal) Published by Corporate Affairs, ESB. How to make make your calendar much more visually informative when you apply M 087 261 5514 of your favourite songs from Miss Saigon, customised coloured labels to each type of calendar entry. F (01) 676 0727 Produced by South Pacific, Wicked, Jesus Christ Su- the most of IT internal outlook address: Open your Outlook Zahra Publishing Ltd. perstar and Ragtime. This celebration of calendar and click on the Healy.Bernie First Floor, Barker House, by Eddie Nally ‘calendar coloring’ button on the toolbar. external email address: Church Road, Greystones, musicals also features the popular classics [email protected] Co. Wicklow. of Stephen Sondheim, Kander & Ebb and Click on Edit Labels at the E [email protected] bottom of the list of menu Jason Robert Brown from their Broadway items. Now, you can Anne Deignan overwrite the available PRODUCT LABELLING GUIDE and West End hit musicals. colour codes to suit your Administrative Assistant www.esb.ie own requirements T (01) 702 6282 (office) In 2010, we are revamped, revived and extn. 26282 (internal) When you have to add a The views expressed in EM are not back on the boards again. We’ll be start- new entry to your M 087 280 6615 (mobile) necessarily those of ESB. calendar, use the label XX% ing rehearsals in January.XX% If you’d like to drop-down option to apply F (01) 676 0727 your choice of label/ internal outlook address: experience the magic of standing on the category. You will find that your calendar is much Deignan.Anne Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX more informative with Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX NCH stage, come along then and join externalLOGO email address: Cover image: Getty Images colours applied. [email protected] MS1 MS2 MS3 MS4with us. If youMS5 just wantRE1 to enjoy a good ESB supports recycling night out and a great show, put March 6th www.repak.ie Please recycle this paper in your diary. It’s not to be missed. You’ll be mad about it. n Networks Training, © 2010

Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX COLOUR Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX C1 C2 C3 C4

Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX

ORIENTATION Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX O1 O2

11mm Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX PLEASE INDICATE WHICH LOGO COLOUR AND ORIENTATION

Cert no. XXX-XXX-XXXX MINIMUM SIZE TO USE

19mm E.G. MS4C3O1 www.esb.ie/em Dec 2010 / Jan 2011 NEWS 3 ‘Journey of Hope’ Roadshow Christmas Message 8ElectricAID Ireland visits various locations throughout Ireland from the Chief Executive, Padraig McManus ESB ElectricAID Ireland ‘hit the applications received from County McManus, in attendance. road’ in October, bringing a hugely Fermanagh). The regional shows were extremely well-received Roadshow to Head Of- Each Roadshow featured speakers successful with staff getting plenty of fice, Waterford, Cork, Limerick and from national and local charities as opportunity to discuss the work of the Sligo – all in one busy week! The ob- funded in each region, whilst many various organisations in their regions. requires continuous prudent and jective of the tour was to give staff a more organisations displayed informa- We would like to take this oppor- focussed planning and the kind of better appreciation of the breadth and tion on their work. Informal informa- tunity to thank our guests and speak- joint approach that underpins ESB’s quality of the work enabled by our tion exchange, networking, and one- ers, who made each day such as suc- success. grant-making. to-one discussions were integral to the cess for us. Particular thanks goes to Support from our shareholder has Since 2005, more than 520 sepa- design of the show and to the success Joan Freeman of Pieta House, who always been of critical importance rate projects and services have been of each day. Staff were very interested spoke in Dublin and Limerick, and to also and this year ESB received the funded with a total of €4.8 million. in the work funded in their own locali- Paul Kelly of Console, who provided backing of government to proceed We have met and funded many fan- ties and were impressed by the vari- speakers for three of the venues. n with the purchase of Northern Ire- tastic people and organisations, the ety and depth of the projects funded land Electricity, a major deal for this real stars of our show, doing magnifi- both nationally and in their own back company. cent work fighting homelessness and yards. The Roadshow was opened in The opening of our 430mw Com- suicide, the two areas chosen by staff Dublin by the Minister for Health, Nollaig Shona libh go leir agus bined Cycle Gas Turbine plant at for ElectricAID Ireland to focus on. Mary Harney T.D., with ESB guim beannachtai na feile ar mo Aghada in Cork; the opening of the Funding has been on an all-Ireland Chairman, Lochlann Quinn chomhleacaithe agus a muintir. 840mw CCGT station at March- basis, reaching 31 counties so far (no and Chief Executive, Pádraig My warmest good wishes to you wood, Southampton in England and and your loved ones for Christmas the completion of the environmen- and the New Year. tal retrofit project at Moneypoint By any measure, 2010 has been represented other landmark devel- a momentous year with the Irish opments for ESB in 2010. economy feeling the full force of the Throughout all this we continue global credit crunch and our severe to put large resources and time to- banking crisis. Few could have pre- wards health and safety of the pub- dicted the sheer scale of difficulties lic, our staff and contractors and we confronting the European and Irish will continue our progress towards James Foley, Amy Coll and Paddy economies when the Euro itself achieving the goal of an injury free Wilson, both from Foyle Search and would come under such sustained workplace. Rescue in Derry, at the Sligo event. pressure. I am particularly proud to look As a company, ESB is not a by- back on 2010 as a year when ESB stander in this turbulent environ- achieved so much in terms of giving ment and is not immune from such generously to those less advantaged seismic stresses. It is critical that we than ourselves. In Accra, Ghana, At the Dublin launch in ESB Head Office. (l-r): Ruth Guy, Barnardos; Paul adjust and plan to maintain our fi- ESB volunteers helped to complete Kelly, Console; ESB ElectricAID Ireland chairperson Joyce Farrell; Joan nancial stability while supporting the full reconstruction of schools at Freeman, Pieta House and Nicola Jordan of DePaul Ireland. the Irish economy and implement- Teshie and Kaneshie school through ing our business strategies. This we the ElectricAid project. have been doing throughout 2010. These education projects bring The customer remains at the heart real hope and help to literally thou- of all our activity and throughout sands of children and, by extension, the year, ESB has subsidised the their families in Africa – a continent Garda Brendan Mills, Cork Community market while staff on the frontline that has seen continuous recession Policing, Don O’ Leary, The Life Centre have worked sympathetically and and economic trauma. Cork, Colette Foster, Sophia Housing, flexibly with those facing difficulties In Ireland we announced a fur- Cork, Paul Corcoran, National Suicide Research Foundation and Pearse Crilly dealing with bill payment. ther €1m funding for projects and ESB ElectricAid Ireland. Confidence and ambitious long- services dealing with suicide and term planning have always been homelessness through 2011. Elec- central tenets of ESB’s operations. tricAid Ireland has already funded When the company was founded in over 500 such projects in the past At the Waterford launch (l-r): Sean McCath, HSE Suicide Strategy Waterford; 1927, the construction of the Shan- five years. Meave Savage Tinteán Housing, Waterford; Denis O’Connor, Console Waterford; Fergus Keane, Good Shepherd Hostel Kilkenny; Caitriona non Scheme was the transformation After what has been a very chal- McManus, ElectricAid Ireland and Tony Merriman of ElectricAID Ireland. of impossibility to reality. Nothing lenging year, we look forward to will work more to our advantage celebrating Christmas – a time for than confronting our challenges family, friends and reflection. We together, in partnership - as we did recall with special fondness those this year - in order to maintain the colleagues who passed away and financial strength of the company. their families and friends for whom The achievement of an agreement Christmas has a special poignancy. on the company’s pension deficit We send good wishes to our re- was ample demonstration of how tired colleagues, whose legacy of this relationship can work to such hard work and dedication is reflect- At the Limerick Roadshow (l-r): Pearse positive effect. ed in the company we have today. Crilly, ElectricAID Ireland; Emer Between 2010 and 2015 ESB I thank each and every one of O’Neill, Console Limerick; Terry Logan, Limerick Marine Search and Rescue will spend €6 billion in capital in- you for your professionalism and and Michael O’Connor, ElectricAID vestment, prioritising its networks, commitment to maintaining ESB as Ireland. smart grid, smart metering, electric Ireland’s leading sustainable energy vehicles renewable energy and the company and we look forward with integration of our Generation and hope and optimism to 2011. At the Dublin launch are ESB Chairman, Lochlann Quinn, Mary Harney, Minister for Supply businesses. Financing that Gach rath ort fhein agus ar do Health & Children and ESB Chief Executive, Padraig McManus. kind of growth and development mhuintir. n 4 NEWS Dec 2010 / Jan 2011 www.esb.ie/em Remember last First company-wide on-line training winter? – stay safe initiative focuses on sustainability This year has been a remarkable its luck but most understand that bility Programme Team, working year in terms of Safety and Health it is the relentless focus on safety with ICT and Sustainability Manag- in ESB. It began with a very cold and health for many years that is ers and Champions. “Our objective winter with treacherous roads and continuing to pay significant divi- was to develop an educational tool freezing conditions to contend with dends. that would be accessible to all and at work and at home. We did have a But this also tells us that we can- could be taken independently by reasonably good summer compared not afford to relax. In 2010 a con- staff. We received a lot of support to the last few and now we are back tractor lost his life when engaged from staff who participated in and to winter again; short days, wet, in tree cutting on ESB’s behalf. He provided useful feedback during cold and some say we may get a re- came in contact with 10kV over- the pilot phase of the development peat of last winter’s conditions. head wires. Imagine Christmas for of the Programme and I would like But despite the inclement start his family. This was the first fatal- to thank them for their input,” he to the year safety performance as ity to a contractor since 2005. We explains. “This type of on-line measured by Lost Time Injuries for also know from our ‘P1’ incident training has a lot to offer, particu- staff and contractors has seen an records that there have been a sig- larly where course content can be unprecedented improvement. At nificant number of Near Miss inci- standardised for significant num- date of publication the number of dents that could have resulted in One of the key objectives of ESB’s duce their own carbon footprint. bers of people”. LTIs to staff is 20 compared to 40 serious injury or even death. Don’t 2020 Strategic Frame- work is to em- The course takes 30 minutes to Executive Director of Sustaina- last year and contractor LTIs, at 10 forget to be afraid! bed sustainability as a core compe- complete and there is a short exam- bility, John Campion, believes that is a quarter of last year’s outcome. Below are some practical tips to tency within ESB. This will help us ination at its conclusion (taking an- the launch of the course is a signifi- How did this dramatic improve- prepare you and your loved ones in working together to build effec- other 15 minutes). Those who cant milestone for the company. ment come about? Some might say when out and about this winter: tive and innovative solutions to en- achieve a pass in this exam will au- “Both the climate change challenge  vironmental and social sustainabil- tomatically achieve a foundation and ESB’s 2020 Strategic Frame- ity challenges. level competency in sustainability work are very clearly set out in this Stay alert this Winter An important part of realising and this will be recorded in PHR. programme. I am confident that this ambition is to ensure that all The delivery of training via this anyone who successfully completes our staff have the opportunity to on-line channel is, in itself, an ex- the course will have a very strong learn about sustainability and to ample of sustainability in action. It foundation from which to build. understand the context within is efficient, both in terms of mini- We need people to understand the which our Strategic Framework tar- mising the need for staff to travel to big picture in relation to sustaina- gets have been developed. As a first central training locations and in re- bility, but also to know what they step, an on-line sustainability train- ducing the time staff have to spend can do, in their own lives, at work ing course has been developed and, away from core work. In addition, and at home, if we are to fully real- over the coming months, all staff therefore, to completing the course ise our ambitions – and I think this will be encouraged participate. The and exam, participants are being course supports both objectives.” course, which will be available both encouraged to provide feedback on The course is being extended via the intranet and on DVD, ex- their experience of this type of throughout E S B o n a l o c a t i o n plains the climate change challenge, training so that it can be further de- by location basis and all staff should introduces ESB’s Strategic Frame- veloped for the needs of ESB users. h a v e r e c e i v e d t h e i r a c c e s s l i n k work and provides information The course was developed by Val o r D V D c o p y b y t h e e n d o f about what individuals can do to re- Warren, a member of the Sustaina- December. n

ESB schools sustainability Where to Walk Walk in designated walkways as much as possible. Avoid slips How to Walk Avoid slips Point your feet out slightly like a penguin! DVD launched Bend slightly and walk flat-footed Extend your arms out to your sides to maintain balance. Take short steps and walk at a slower pace The Sustainability Team in accessible, end-user friendly What to wear Dress warmly and wear boots or shoes with non-skid soles (avoid plastic and leather soles). has developed a DVD for use in formats. How to fall primary schools. The DVD ex- As Ireland’s leading energy pro- Try to avoid landing on your knees, wrists, or spine. Try to fall on a fleshy part of your body, such as your side. plains issues relating to climate vider, ESB occupies a unique po- Try to relax your muscles if you fall. You’ll injure yourself less if you are relaxed change, renewable energy and the sition in respect of this particular

 role the individual can play in issue. The company is regularly promoting sustainable behaviour. contacted by teachers, students Sustainability is a subject of and parents of students who are considerable interest in schools seeking presentations from ESB throughout Ireland, a lot of great both on the wider issues of cli- work is already being done by mate change and energy manage- Paul Quinn staff and sustainability champi- ment and on ESB’s own strategy ons in the community. Feedback and work in this area. Graduation from our own staff and from To meet this need Sustainability Paul Quinn, ex Fleet Street and South Lotts Road, receiving a Masters Degree educational stakeholders through- Team has led the development of in Sociology from NUI Maynooth. Since out the country is that many a DVD for schools which is suita- retiring in 2003, Paul completed a students are engaged in environ- ble for use as a resource tool in University Foundation Certificate, mental, energy efficiency and engaging primary school students a Double Honours Arts Degree, a Certificate in Psychology, all from NUI bio-diversity projects and have a on issues relating to: The DVD has been developed so that it can Maynooth, and a certificate in German great interest in this area. For • Climate Change the Environ- be used by those who are engaging with local from the Goethe Institute in Dublin. their part, teachers are looking ment. schools. It is aimed at children in primary Paul has promised his wife Mary, that a for up-to-date informative mate- • Renewable Energy and ESB. school, from 3rd to 6th class. For more infor- PhD is out of the question, at least for the time being! rial that can be used to supple- • What individuals can do to hep mation, please e-mail the sustainability team ment existing teaching resources the environment. n ([email protected]). www.esb.ie/em Dec 2010 / Jan 2011 NEWS 5 Corporate Centre launches Sustainability Change Plan

(l-r): Sinead Bruton, Philip Mulligan, Michael Downey, Tommy Hopper, Kieron Comerford, Dave Dowling, Kieran O’Neill, Peter Morgan, Cyril Loughlin, Peter Veale, Danielle Keogh, Eileen Hyland, Ann Fitzpatrick, Dáire Venables and Donal Lehane, who all participated via Webex. Corporate Business Continuity Forum At the Workshop. Back row (l-r): Tony Carroll, Sustainability Programme; Michelle Mullally, Group Internal Audit; Derek Fuller, ESB ESB’s Corporate Business Con- Management Framework (see www. Energy International, Facilitator; Ronan Collier, Strategy & Governance; John Healy, Group Commercial & Risk; Steve Johnson, tinuity Forum is comprised of busi- mem.ie). ESB’s co-ordinators and Corporate Centre Sustainability Manager; Lorraine Coffey, Group Legal); Mick Downey, Corporate Communications; Dave O’Dwyer, Group Finance and Justin Johnston, Treasury. Front row (l-r): Mary Collins, PIP; Fergal O’Donnell, Treasury; John McKiernan, ness continuity co-ordinators from guests were impressed with the ac- Novus Modus; John O’Neill, Group HR; Colm Smyth, Partnership; Marion Quane, Group Finance and Kristin Quinn, Sustainability the business units and other contin- commodation and technology facili- Programme. gency/crisis specialists. The forum, ties on offer and gained a deeper ap- which is chaired by the Group BC preciation of how a large-scale Irish In November 2010, the Corpo- travel, energy, home and commu- plan and sustainability awards. Programme Manager, Cyril Lough- incident would be managed. rate Centre Sustainability Change nity were identified as areas where • Conducting peer audits of energy lin, meets regularly to review prog- Our thanks to the Office of Plan 2010-2012 was approved by Corporate Centre could make a usage across all Corporate Cen- ress and to plan various initiatives. Emergency Planning (Dept. of the Executive Directors in Corpo- significant contribution to making tre locations. The October meeting was held off- Defence) for being such welcom- rate Centre. ESB a truly sustainable company. • Ensuring that policy documents site in the National Emergency Co- ing hosts. n The plan is the product of a The Sustainability Change Plan and other company-wide com- ordination Centre (NECC) in Kildare change workshop involving senior commits Corporate Centre to car- munications to staff are issued Street, Dublin. The NECC is a rela- If you’d like to know more about Business managers from across Corporate rying out a number of key initia- electronically to the greatest ex- tively new facility hthat was estab- Continuity in ESB please visit our Intranet site Centre. The workshop recog- tives in these areas, including: tent possible; lished as a key part of the Govern- where you will find contact details for your lo- nised that, “Corporate Centre has • Putting Sustainability Improve- • Carrying out initiative to reduce ment’s evolving Major Emergency cal BC Co-ordinator. a unique role to play in helping to ment Plans in place for each part amount of printing in Corporate bring about the cultural transfor- of Corporate Centre. Centre. mation that is required to achieve • Including sustainability as a • Carrying out initiative to im- our company’s strategic objec- standard agenda item at staff prove Corporate Centre staff us- John Campion hosts tives”. meetings, covering areas such age of energy, water and waste in Japanese media visit Leadership, brand, paper, waste, as STARS, the workplace travel their homes. n to ESB ecars Project Sustainability Report 2009 launched ESB has published its Sustain- view of the challenges to achieving mat from the company intranet and ability Report 2009. The report sustainability and provides a high intranet sites. A limited number of develops and extends previous ESB degree of transparency into the ac- summary reports will be available, reports on environmental and corpo- tivities of the ESB. The inclusion of on request, from stakeholders. n rate responsibility performance. Its the full results of employee surveys purpose is to inform our key stake- is very welcome in this regard and holders in an understandable and it points to an organisation that is meaningful way of our responses to mature and confident in itself in those issues that will affect our long- dealing with this great transfor- term future and the way in which we mational challenge. We found will do business. To allow for com- the sections dealing with com- parison of our performance with that mitments made under the Sus- of other companies, we were guided tainability Charter, the roll out by the general approach and princi- of the HALO programme and ples set down by the Global Report- the ongoing investments in re- ing Initiative. newables to be fascinating and This report primarily addresses exciting.” performance in 2009, but also reflects The report provides informa- some initiatives that started in 2008 tion on ESB performance in re- and takes account of more recent or- spect of all aspects of corporate ganisational changes within ESB. responsibility, in relation to the ESB Executive Director for Sustainability John Campion hosted a visit of a group of In their assessment of the report environment, working with journalists from Japan to ESB Head Office to meet with the engineering team responsible Business In the Community Ireland communities, in the work- for the implementation of ESB’s ecars project. The media delegation was part of a Department of Foreign Affairs sponsored visit to Dublin. The group heard an overview has said, “This report has many high- place and in the marketplace. of ESB’s renewable and ecar programmes and met with members of the ecars project lights; it is comprehensive in its con- The full report is available to team at Head Quarters. tent, gives an honest and balanced view / download in PDF for- 6 NEWS Dec 2010 / Jan 2011 www.esb.ie/em Christmas Charity Car-sharing Event 2010 Kicking off at midday on Thurs- day 16th December in the Head initiative launched Office Conference Centre, this event is a huge success every year The National Transport Author- and will lead to less congestion if with fun and games featuring card ity and Smarter Travel Workplaces there are fewer single-occupant games, pitch’n putt, dice-game and have launched a new car-sharing ini- cars on the road the lucky dip stall. This is followed tiative - www.carsharing.ie On the car-sharing website there with the infamous Bumper Draw at Car-sharing (also known as car- is a ‘Public Lifts’ section that is open approximately 2pm. pooling) enables you offer or look to the entire car-sharing communi- Bumper draw for lifts on any journey you make - ty. There is also a dedicated ‘ESB’ The Bumper Draw is packed with lots of commuting to and from work, busi- car-sharing group. We recommend goodies like golf green fees, cases of wine, ness travel within the working day, that you use the ESB Group section hampers, bottles, restaurant vouchers, ESB ecar and charge point in the Science Gallery Café. going to events at the weekend, etc. if you are planning to use the site for gift vouchers and much more... It’s a great option if other modes of commuting to and from work or Appeal for prizes transport are not available and you business travel. Access to this group If you are in a position to organise a Electric Dreams Competition have to use the car. is restricted to holders of a valid spot prize or even donate one yourself Science Gallery and ESB ecars said, “Ecars are super-connected cars Car-sharing is already very pop- ESB email address. n (no prize too big or too small), your ef- launched an ‘Electric Dreams’ compe- with sophisticated communications ular in ESB and over 30% of staff forts would be greatly appreciated. tition as part of the Green Machines systems allowing you, the ecar and have said that they would be inter- Full details about signing-up and using the Ticket sales exhibition at the gallery in Trinity the charge point network to interact, ested in car-sharing in a recent staff car-sharing site, as well as an ESB disclaimer, Over the years, our ticket sellers College. The general public are invited opening up a world of exciting new survey. are available in the Smarter Travel workplaces have done tremendous work and as to dream up an idea for the next gen- opportunities. We’re looking for inno- Sharyn McMenamin and Declan section of the Sustainability Intranet site. always all ticket sellers will be en- eration mobile app to allow seamless vative ideas and the best one will be Furlong from IT Services have been tered into a draw for a hamper. If communication between the driver, rewarded with a fantastic opportunity car-sharing for a number of you wish to purchase tickets, please the smart ecar and the network of to drive an ecar for one month in early years on their daily com- contact us and we will tell you who charging stations. The winner will be 2011.” said. mute to and from Kildare. the seller is in your area. Alterna- given the chance to drive an ecar for The competition runs until Monday According to Sharyn “cars- tively, if you are interested in selling, one month and to participate in the December 1st and is open to the gener- haring offers many bene- please call Andrea (27567) or Cath- ESB ecars trial. al public. An ecar and a public charge fits. It saves money be- erina (27080) for a seller’s pack. ESB ecars Marketing and Commu- point are on display in Science Gallery cause you share fuel costs, A big thank you is extended to nications Manager Dervla O’Flaherty café until Friday December 17th. n and the daily commute is ESB staff in anticipation of their less stressful as you are support and generosity. n not behind the steering wheel every day”. Appreciation National Corporate Car-sharing also reduc- es your carbon footprint James Oliver Purcell Grace. Mathematical equations. Gadgets. Responsibility Week Logistics. ESB. Puzzles National Corporate Responsibility the week, ESB presented information Departed friends Crosswards. Children. Grandchildren. “I bet you don’t know Week, the Business in the Commu- about its own work in relevant areas. Name Mary Griffin nity Ireland (BITCI) annual focus Highlights during the week in- what 1+1 is”. Apple pie. Hash browns. Location Departed South West NW 12/10/2010 James Oliver Purcell on the various impacts that mem- volved the publication of ESB’s first S alt 1920 and - 2010 vinegar. Fried rashers. Sau- Mary Hayes sages Rest in and Peace eggs. Kippers on a Friday. Ag ber companies have, through their comprehensive Sustainability Re- Anne O’Connor Marina Station 20/10/2010 caint as gaeilge. Sprechen Deutsh. Par- activities, on the environment, the port and the launch of a company Ballycoolin 25/09/2010 Elizabeth Humphreys lez Francais. 44. 150. Holidays in the community the marketplace and car-sharing website. BITC held Christopher Kellaghan Customer Supply 25/10/2010 sun. Holidays in the rain. Mayo. Tara the workplace took place from 15th their first international Conference Rhode Station 11/09/2010 Margaret Moloney cove. Easter holidays. Saudi Arabia. – 19th November. This year, the on Corporate Responsibility and week was also a celebration of 10 John Campion, Executive Director, Frank Guckian Poolbeg Station 22/10/2010 Electric car in the 70’s. Range Rover in the 70’s. Crack of dawn on Christmas years of BITC in Ireland. Sustainability led delegrates though Midland & West NW 01/10/2010 Willie Kirwan morning. Winning Christmas turkeys Each day during the week was a session on Transforming Busi- John Kane Telecoms Services 24/10/2010 in Miltown. Bridge. Snooker. Tennis. focused on a different dimension of ness for Sustainability as part of the Eamonn O’Malley Leopardstown Road 02/10/2010 Golf. Thursday lunches in Fitzwilliam. Corporate Responsibility and to mark event.n James Larkin Bellacorrick Station 22/10/2010 Gin and tonic. Smithwicks. Bran or Dublin North NW 03/10/2010 Barbara Davis Sceolang?. The Ormond Hotel. Water- Michael English Marina Station 23/10/2010 skiing. Books. Papers. Meetings. Con- Midland & West NW 03/10/2010 Margaret Kirby tantly studying. Encouraging. “Never New ecars website now online Monica Kelly South East NW 25/10/2010 why always why not”. Stephens day ESB ecars has launched a new site has also been set up to create a parties. Music. German wine. The South West NW 30/9/2010 Dora Chambers website, www.esb.ie/ecars, with in- forum where people can have discus- Purcells. The O’Malleys. Singing. Bridget Sweeney Dublin Central & South NW 28/10/2010 novative and interactive features such sions about ecars and create a buzz Laughing. as a Google charge point map, online around this new technology. n Bellacorrick Station 25/07/2010 Anthony Power A life worth living. A life well lived. video clips showing how ecars are Samuel Sheridan Retired Peat Stations 23/10/2010 It was our privilege. Your children charged and video testimonials from Join us in leading the charge by becoming Dublin Central & South NW 02/10/2010 Maurice O’Sullivan Your grandchildren. Your brothers and those who have trialled the cars. a fan of our page: www.facebook.com/ Lena Gaffney Chief Civil Engineer 03/11/2010 sisters. Your sons in law. Your friends. A dedicated ESB ecars Facebook ESBecars. Dublin Central & South NW 10/10/2010 Michael Daly J. Oliver Purcell died peacefully in Anne Deering Retired Peat Stations 03/11/2010 his 90th year. He joined ESB in 1946 and retired in 1986. Initially he was in- Dublin Central & South NW 11/10/2010 Barry O’Mahony volved in rural electrification and in the Sustainability Intranet Site revamp Brendan Currid Midland & West NW 30/10/2010 80’s worked with ESBI in Saudi Arabia. Hubert Rooney Midland & West NW 12/10/2010 His connection with ESB lasted up to The Sustainability Intranet Site JJ Bracken Midland & West 08/11/2010 his passing and he was both proud and has been given a complete makeover. The Sustainability Team would appreciate any Metering & Data Services NW 15/10/2010 Bridget Maloney happy to have been involved in mak- The new site has been redesigned to feedback on the new site, either in terms of Paddy Coyle Dublin North & Dundalk NW 11/11/2010 ing a contribution to the electrification make it easier to navigate and to take things you would like to see improved or in Dublin Central & South NW 14/10/2010 Philip McGovern of Ireland by his work and the many account of the expansion of the sus- relation to new content you would like to see Marketing Dept CS 12/11/2010 colleagues he met there. May he rest in tainability brief to include all aspects included ([email protected]). peace. n of corporate responsibility. n www.esb.ie/em Dec 2010 / Jan 2011 NEWS 7 Paper Board Appointment cups! Ms. Graham is Executive Di- rector of Business Services in Ulster Bank. She has held oth- past tense! er senior positions at the Bank In 2009 we used 108,775 takeaway including Chief Operating Of- cups in Head Office, all of which ficer – Corporate Bank, Head were non-recyclable and went to of Operations and also Execu- landfill.U nder a Head Office Green (l-r): Mary Kennedy, RTE Presenter; Padraig Mc Manus, ESB Chief Executive; tive Director Group Operations Committee initiative, with the ac- Michael Haden and John Power, Director General, Engineers Ireland. EMEA. She is a member of the tive support of staff from the Head Advisory Board of Women’s Office Restaurant, takeaway cups ESB Outstanding Contribution Executive Network in Ireland were removed on the 1st October and serves on the Barretstown 2010. Head Office staff can use to Engineering Board which supports children their own sustainable travel mug for award was for an individual or a group with serious illnesses. takeaway tea and coffee. These At the Engineers Ireland Excel- of individuals who have made a sig- ESB’s Chairman, Lochlann mugs are now available for sale in lence Awards, on Friday November nificant difference to the engineering Quinn, welcomed the appoint- Natures Way 5th, Michael Hayden, retired Director profession over the careers. ment and said: “Ellvena has ex- In addition to environmental ben- of ESB International, was presented The Samuel Beckett Bridge, Dublin, Ms. Ellvena Graham has tensive international and busi- efits, there are significant cost sav- with the ESB Award for Outstand- was announced as the winner of the been appointed by the Govern- ness experience which will be ings. The Head Office Restaurant ing Contribution to Engineering. The Engineering Project of the Year. n ment to the Board of ESB. very valuable to ESB”. n was spending in excess of €12,000 per annum purchasing disposable takeaway cups. The savings made by their removal have been passed on to staff through reduced prices A successful for tea and coffee purchased in the crockery mugs or in travel mugs. There are also savings in waste dis- Coaching Conference posal charges and there will be re- duced contamination of recyclable 8Held for internal coaches on 16th waste (i.e. no more unrecyclable cups mixed with recyclable waste). This November 2010 initiative also addresses one of the key targets under ESB’s Sustainability Charter – to reduce our impact on the environment to a practicable mini- (l-r): ESB Chief Executive Padraig McManus, Minister for Communications, Energy and mum by the prevention of pollution. Natural Resources Eamon Ryan TD and Dave Shannon of Toyota. We would like to thank everyone for supporting this change. This was crucial to the success of the initiative. Toyota, Irish Government The Head Office Green Commit- tee is a voluntary group of staff which and ESB sign Memorandum works with our waste management partner, Thorntons, to meet our of Understanding Pat Gilbride, Darina Gallagher, Caroline Coffey, Padraig McManus, Orla Maher, Paddy waste management targets through Another car manufacturer, a world leader in electric vehicles. Today, Stapleton and Dave O’Brien. raising awareness of sustainability Toyota, has teamed up with the Irish we sign a Memorandum of Understand- and promoting waste management Government and ESB to conduct ecar ing with Toyota which will see them de- At the Recent internal Coach- and how it should be managed by initiatives in Head Office and other field trials inI reland and to implement ploy Prius Plug-In Hybrids to Ireland in ing conference The Chief Executive the appropriate professionals. ESB building ion the vicinity. The a demonstration programme with the advance of their global launch.” outlined the organisations strategic In coaching there are moments committee includes representatives Prius Plug-in Hybrid (PHV). Padraig McManus, Chief Executive, challenges and the relevant initia- when we feel ‘stuck’ where some- from Head Office, Osprey / Clanwil- The demonstration programme is ESB also commented, “Ireland is an tives that are in place to address thing happens in the coaching rela- liam, Merrion Square, Stephen Court being carried out across Europe for important market for ecars, as we are these. He also outlined his belief in tionship which we cannot fully and Fleet Street. Please contact any the coming 18 months in advance of one of the first countries in the world the capability of ESB staff to fur- make sense of. Supervision is the of the committee members if you the model’s full launch to the market to develop a nationwide charging infra- ther improve their performance, term used in coaching to describe have any suggestions for new initia- in 2012. Initially, there will be three structure and Toyota’s decision to test individually and as part of teams, the help provided by a profession- tives or if you would like to join the vehicles based in Ireland, which will the Prius Plug-in here is an endorse- and the key role quality coaching ally trained coach who can help committee . n be placed with a number of leading ment of this. We are delighted to part- has to play. the coach see more of what is go- Irish and multinational companies in ner with Toyota which is developing a The main emphasis of the day ing on in a coaching relationship. It order to test the vehicles under vari- wide range of sustainable technologies was to help internal coaches fur- provides a fresh perspective and a able, everyday, driving conditions. This for the future, including plug-in hybrid ther improve their coaching prac- safe place in which active learning information will support the planning vehicles. The ecars trial will build on tice and also to be more sensitised and continuous development oc- Green Committee Members: and implementation of ESB’s nation- ESB’s existing knowledge of ecar charg- to the many symptoms of stress curs and it is recommended for all wide charging infrastructure, as well ing technology and of user behaviour, practising coaches. Based Mary Nolan ESB Energy International as provide valuable information on in addition to further promoting the on the response at the Adrienne Behan ESB Networks customer usage patterns and general ecar industry across Ireland.” conference an appropri- Alan Corbally ESBI attitudes to electric motoring. Toyota Ireland Managing Director ate Supervision Model Linda Daniel Christie ESB Energy International Philip Darcy shared Services Speaking at the launch, Minister for David Shannonspoke about the ecar well be put in place for Steve Johnson Group Internal Audit Communications, Energy and Natural programme, “The real-world experi- internal coaches in early Fergus Keane ESB Energy International Resources Eamon Ryan TD said, “I am ences which will be derived from the 2011. n Eadaoin Smith. iT Services pleased that the Irish Government can companies and drivers involved in this Caroline Coffee, Darina Margaret Lahiff ESB Networks add Toyota, the largest car maker in the programme will provide Toyota with Gallagher, Pat Gilbride, Ian Mary Penco shared Services world who is developing a wide range valuable insights into driver attitudes and Riordan, Paddy Stapleton, Mark Somers ESBI); Ollie Brogan, Acting Joe Mescall shared Services of sustainable technologies for the fu- usage patterns to help shape strategies for Executive Director, Group Con Martin shared Services ture, including PHV, to our growing list the wider introduction of plug-in hybrids HR; Dave O’Brien and Orla of car manufacturers who see Ireland as and recharging technologies.” n Maher. 8 NEWS Dec 2010 / Jan 2011 www.esb.ie/em Pakistan – the ESB community comes through again! Despite unemployment, pay €120,000 – well beyond target – with freezes and economic melt-down at more coming in. home, despite having come through for Haiti earlier in the year, the ESB ‘Your generosity reminds us that it is community more than stepped up to One World’ the mark when ElectricAid launched Staff across the company got in- our Special Appeal for Pakistan in Au- volved, and opened their hearts. As gust. We were reluctant to ‘go to the well as the on-line donations from well’ again so soon, but felt we had salary, we had cake sales, coffee no choice – and you responded mag- mornings, impromptu dig-outs, too nificently! The Appeal has reached many to mention. Some highlights stood out, like the whip-rounds by the Head Office cleaning staff and by the staff in the garage in Wilton. They must have a very sweet tooth ESB win in in Stephen Court – ESBI’s cake sale there raised an incredible €2,400! One generous fan paid €800 for the thriller match Ireland jersey donated and signed €29,000 each. We will hold the re- by Paul O’Connell. Over 150 staff mainder for smaller rehabilitation who took the Pedometer Challenge funding applications which we know donated an additional €3,600 for we will receive. By Colum Grogan, ESB GAA with NIE their Pedometers. ESB itself stepped We thank each and every one of in with a substantial donation, and you for standing with the vulnerable ESB narrowly defeated NIE ESB Team: ESB pensioners are still contributing and dispossessed of Pakistan. Your at the annual meeting of the two S.Shanley, P.Cooney, B. Perry, - €13,000 so far. generosity reminds us that it is One electricity network companies. The E.O’Callaghan, L/O’Sullivan, T. Foody, We have now funded four reputa- World, and that we can make a differ- game, in Casement Park Belfast, was D.Mooney, J. Finn, C.McManus, ble and effective Irish NGOs for their ence to people in their hour of great- played under lights on Saturday No- T.Boylan, E. McGrath, J. McConnell, Ireland jersey, donated and signed by work in Pakistan - GOAL, Trócaire, est need. Once again, well done, and vember 6th. R.Kelly, F. McPhillips, R. Brady, H. Paul O’Connell. Oxfam Ireland and Concern received thank you all. n This game was a close-fought en- Birt, A. Harte, R. Durkan, A Mulligan. counter with both sides very evenly matched. ESB opened the scoring NIE Team: with a point by Ciaran Mc Manus R Lyness, C Mulholland, J Austin, D from a ‘45’. Midway through the first Stevenson, C McCoy, McDonald, K Croke Park tests half, David Stevenson got NIE off McCormick, E McGuire, M McCaf- the mark with a well-taken goal. This frey, P Burns, S Brannigan, D Kenne- was followed by a point from play by dy, C McConville, D Malloy, F McKil- Donal Kennedy. ESB reduced the defi- lion, A McCaffrey, Mallon, C Feeney, F electric cars cit with a point from play from Johnny Quinn, C Barr, G McGuinness. McConnell just before half time. After the match, both sides en- Croke Park employees trialled Recent research has revealed that The second-half started, like the joyed a meal in Casement Park ESB ecars as a sustainable alternative 56% of Irish people are interested first, with both sides missing a num- Social Club and were treated to a to their usual daily work commute. A in participating in Cúl Green, a ber of scoring opportunities. However traditional music session provided charge point was installed in the sta- programme between ESB, Croke ESB were first to score with another by NIE’s Ruadhrai O’Kane and dium by ESB so the trial participants Park and consumers to keep McManus point from a close in free friends. Welcoming the ESB group, could charge their ecars daily and test Croke Park net carbon neutral and this was followed up with a well- Gerry Mc Caffrey, representing NIE out electric driving as an alternative by making a carbon saving taken goal scored by Tom Boylan for GAA, congratulated both teams on to their normal mode of transport. pledge to save energy in their the visitors to take a two-point lead. their performances earlier in the Alan Gallagher from Croke Park daily lives. Two well-taken points by Stephen afternoon. He thanked Kieran Mc said, “We are delighted to participate Croke Park is Ireland’s most Brannigan brought NIE level again. Coy (PES) for organising the hotel, in ESB ecars trial and test out electric visited sporting stadium and both As the game entered the final quar- pitch and meal. Kieran thanked the driving. This is a fantastic move for- ESB and the stadium have joined ter, ESB went in front with another Antrim GAA board and Casement ward in the development of sustain- forces to help make it more sustain- point from play by Ronan Durkan. Park Social Club for the use of their able transport and as we are commit- able. Since the launch of Cúl Green in NIE then had a let-off when a goal- pitch and social facilities. He also ted to reducing our carbon footprint 2008 there have been over 110,000 Alan Gallagher, Croke Park and Paul bound shot came off the cross-bar thanked Jim Murray for refereeing with the Cúl Green initiative, green visits to www.culgreen.ie and 92,000 Mulvany, MD ESB Ecars. and the sharp actions of goalkeeper the game. driving is part of our strategy.” pledges have been made. n Danny Mc Donald cleared the ball Speaking on behalf of ESB GAA, to safety. Another David Steven- Chairman Colum Grogan thanked son point brought NIE level but this NIE for their hospitality and com- was quickly nullified by SE B’s Enda mented on the excellent relationship Talk it out, Let it out, McGrath point from a free. between both sides. Paddy Stapleton, The final few minutes brought a President ESB GAA, congratulated flurry of scores with ESB stretch- both teams on their great attitude Sort it out ing their advantage to two points to this annual fixture. He welcomed Mental health is something we friends, and it helps us through diffi- through Ciaran McManus and Enda the presence of Senior NIE staff Con all have and it is something we should cult times. McGrath. Donal Kennedy had a Feeney, Paul Mullan and Francis take steps to protect in the same way The Talk it out, Let it out Sort it out. great long-range point to reduce the McKillion. Paul Mullan then pre- we guard our physical health. Packs provides general information deficit to the minimum, but SE B had sented the Dalton/Sharvin Memo- When we are mentally healthy, we and advice on looking after your men- the final say with a point in the final rial Cup to Eoghan O’Callaghan the can enjoy all the aspects of our life tal health. n minute by Enda McGrath to run-out victorious ESB captain. Players on Ollie Brogan, Acting Executive Director, and relationships more. Good mental winners on a scoreline of ESB 1-7 to both sides were presented with com- Group HR; Joyce Farrell, Manager E&D and health allows us to get the most out of Each member of staff will receive the informa- Chairman of EklectricAid Ireland and John NIE’s 1-5. memorative medals. n Campion, Executive Director, Sustainability. spending time with our families and tion pack shortly. www.esb.ie/em Dec 2010 / Jan 2011 NEWS 9

Fond Memories Bring the Light 8 An Exhibition of the photography of Franz Sebastian Kaneshie School Project – Haselbeck 1885-1973 another milestone By Brian Cronly

At the launch in the Hunt Museum in Limerick (l-r): Great grand-sons of Franz The school choir welcomes the volunteers. Haselbeck, Darragh and Sean Flynn, Gerry Hampson and Pat Yeates of ESB Archives, Patricia Haselbeck Flynn, Brid Horan, Executive Director Energy Solutions, Malcolm Alexander Group Heritage and Brendan Delany, Archive & Heritage Manager.

ESB, together with Siemens portant place of pride in the history Ltd. has sponsored an exhibition of of both ESB and Siemens”, said Brid the photography and equipment of Horan, Executive Director ESB. Franz Sebastian Haselbeck (1885- “We are delighted that ESB’s Ar- 1973). Like many professional pho- chive was able to collaborate with The Ghana and Ireland flags are hoisted at the site. tographers of his generation Franz the Haselbeck family over the last Sebastian Haselbeck’s work was not two years to restore this wonderful As the third school building hu- O’Connor (Electrical Su- fully recognised during his own life- collection.” manitarian aid project at Kaneshie pervisor) had gone out time. Over the last two years how- Paul Lynam, Chief Financial Of- (a suburb of Accra in Ghana) comes four days ahead of the main ever, a collaborative project between ficer Siemens added; “Captured to an end it is time to review what’s group and great efforts were ESB Archive and the Haselbeck by Sean Keating in paintings and been happening on site during the successful in getting the best family to restore and catalogue his Franz Sebastian Haselbeck through last year. To begin with the original value from locally procured photographic collection and equip- the medium of photography, the school was in a totally dilapidated materials. ment has been successfully under- Shannon Scheme has become an condition. There were holes in the The main group of volunteers taken. This has ensured the survival inspirational milestone in Irish his- roof, open sewers running through arrived on Sunday 19th Septem- of what is undoubtedly one of most tory and was the key to economic the site, toilets and drains blocked ber and the work commenced in important Irish photographic collec- progress for the young Free State. up and overflowing. This was the earnest on the Monday morning. The Kaneshie choir. tions from the 20th century. Franz’s Franz Sebastian Haselbeck, who net result of 50 years of neglect and A daily diary was posted on the EM our like this. People from many dif- photographic legacy spans almost was a Siemens employee during lack of investment of any sort. website describing events on site. This ferent departments, business units, seven decades and his work pro- the Shannon Scheme, witnessed Early this year, design work was provided a chance for loved ones and age groups and walks of life became vides a prism through which we can at first hand the major revolution completed by local architect, Mr colleagues at home to keep track of good friends. view the major political, commer- that technology would have on the Yooku Sampson, and after a tender what was hap- Besides the gruelling work there cial and social developments which lives of the people, and captured competition civil works commenced pening and feel were some lighter moments and the happened over the greater part of this profound change in some of the on the refurbishment of the school “we are so connected with team did get to meet up with the the last century. A representative marvellous photographs that are on in March. By September the works “excited and the workers in teachers and students of the school sample of the photographer’s work display here.” had advanced sufficiently for the can’t wait to Africa. during the Open Day ceremony. The has been selected, including early Speaking at the Dublin launch of site to be ready to accommodate the start school The volun- student choir sang for us and some images of Ardnacrusha under con- the exhibition in ESB’s Head Office, ESB volunteers. next week - just teers, as had of the students put on a beautiful struction, which would not be un- Padraig McManus, Chief Executive The role of the volunteers, thirty like the children their previous display of traditional dancing. Our typical for any commercial studio said, “We are very fortunate that in all, was to carry out the electrical from Ireland”! counterparts, Chief Executive, Padraig McManus, photographer. Franz Sebastian Haselbeck’s family installation and complete painting put their backs and the Regional Minister and Vice Welcoming visitors to the exhibi- preserved this important legacy for and decorating. These tasks were into the tasks and within a few President of Ghana were guests of tion at the Hunt Museum in Limer- Ireland. It is a story, told in black to be completed within a two-week days the work began to take shape. honour and it was wonderful to see ick, Dr. Hugh Maguire, Director of and white, that could so easily have time span, a pretty tight sched- Weather conditions were relatively the enthusiastic response and heart- the museum stated; “What differ- been lost. We are particularly ap- ule. On previous occasions quite benign. When the original feasibil- felt appreciation of the teachers, stu- entiates the images in this exhibi- preciative of the photographs of the a number of the volunteers came ity study was carried out, one of the dents, local community and stake- tion from lesser works is their sheer ESB Shannon Scheme, the coun- down with tummy upsets and a concerns was that because Kaneshie holders to their new school. Padraig power to captivate and engage try’s first hydroelectric power sta- touch of dysentery but fortunately was in the heart of the city and shel- expressed his sincere thanks to the the viewer”. tion, which Franz took while this time the amount of down time tered from the wind, it would be- team for travelling out to Ghana to Grand-daughter of working for Siemens dur- was minimal. In fact the works were come unbearably hot. This did not work on the site and to everyone the photographer, ing construction.” completed well on time and costs happen in practice and a sprinkling who contributed selflessly in what- Patricia Hasel- Records also show were reduced by savings on the of rain even helped to keep the tem- ever way they could to the project. beck, explaining that Franz applied electrical and painting materials. perature and dust down. The team To leave the last word with the the rationale for unsuccessfully to An advance team of Brian Cronly meanwhile gelled very well and lots pupils of Kaneshie School – “we the exhibition join ESB two years (Project Manager) Martin O’Brien of new bonds were forged in a way are so excited and can’t wait to start said, “Following later when his work (Painting Supervisor) and Brendan that is unique school next week – just like the chil- my grandfather’s with Siemens ended. to an endeav- dren from Ireland”! n death in 1973, his In retrospect, perhaps life’s work remained it was as well - he went on in the family home to be a professional pho- where it was kept At the Dublin launch tographer and lived until are Padraig McManus, intact by my father, ESB Chief Executive and 1973, capturing images Frank Haselbeck Jnr, Patricia Haselbeck Flynn. over half a dozen decades who on his deathbed and leaving us with such a in 1990, asked me to preserve his unique chronicle of some of Ireland’s father’s work for future generations. industrial and social developments. I made that promise having no idea The Dublin exhibition runs until how I would keep it. This exhibition December 12th and can be accessed is the fulfilment of that promise.” via ESB’s Georgian Museum, House n “The Shannon Scheme which 29. ESB volunteers arrive on site. A team shot on Open Day. features in the exhibition has an im- 10 NEWS Dec 2010 / Jan 2011 www.esb.ie/em Des Moore retires Easi- HR challenges shared by few others. Des was always keen on research travel and believed that we should decide what we do based more on solid evidence rather than conjecture or opinion. He involved ESB in a plan number of research initiatives with affiliated bodies, which allowed us gather valuable insights and to Michael Loughnane makes a 2011 presentation to Des to mark his compare ourselves with other or- retirement. ganisations. He was the initial architect of the Des Moore retired recently from current ‘Apprentice / Engineering’ Group HR and his departure was programme, which arose from the celebrated by a group of close friends very significant ESB Employment and colleagues. Des was joined by Initiative in April 2009. He brought his wife, Bernadette, for lunch with together key stakeholders, primar- Paul Mulvaney ESB ecars, Charlie Sheridan and Martin Curley Intel Labs Europe at the his colleagues to mark his departure. ily the Dublin and Cork Institutes Intel/ESB research collaboration launch Although he has a technical engi- of Technology, and with them, de- neering background (and retains a veloped a robust model to deliver a passion for technology and was al- unique programme that will benefit ESB ecars and Intel announce ways to one to consult on the latest the individuals trainees and both The Easi-Travel Plan is now mobile technology) and started his ESB and Ireland Inc. over future ecar research collaboration available to ESB staff for 2011. ESB career in Marketing Department, Des years. His understanding of the Martin Curley, Director, Intel Memorandum of Understanding to purchases Annual Travel Tickets on hasworked for the last few years in workings of the Institute of Technol- Labs Europe and Paul Mulvaney, collaborate on joint innovation and behalf of staff and gives them as Group HR and before that in numer- ogy sector was well used during his Managing Director, ESB ecars research programs addressing the part of a remuneration package. ous HR roles across the company. time as Head of School of Business launched an electric charge point IT and Communication challenges Staff eligible for a nonsuperannuat- Those who have worked closely and Humanities at the Institute of at the Intel Ireland campus in of integrating Electric Vehicles able Lump sum (e.g. Out of Profit with Des over the years appreciate Technology Blanchardstown during Leixlip. In addition to the unveiling into the electricity grid. One of Payment) can opt to have a portion his unique, yet quiet and understated, a career break from ESB. of the charge point, ESB ecars the first of these initiatives is the of this lump sum assigned for the contribution. Des believed in making Des has many interests outside and Intel’s Sustainability and involvement of Intel in the ESB purpose of buying an annual Bus/ a difference over the long term and ESB and will put his free time to Enterprise Services Lab, which is ecar trial which commenced in May Rail or Luas ticket. had a vision and understanding of good use. n part of Intel Labs Europe, signed a of this year. n These tickets issue in January of each year, and are valid for the 12 months commencing from 1st Feb- will have a real and practical impact ruary in the same year. Building Ireland’s future in terms of supplying the market Staff wishing to avail of the with qualified personnel to build scheme for 2011 must apply by Please keep an eye out for our critical infrastructure and develop December 15th 2010. Corporate Communications Up- our economy. The programme also Full details and application forms dates that will issue on a regular provides tremendous opportunities are available on the Shared Services basis with the objective of provid- for those people on the course who website – Careers and Benefits, Se- ing background and context to will gain engineering degrees”. lect Travel and or Forms Tab media coverage of ESB issues and The apprentices embarking on the keeping you informed of internal degree course were first recruited To access the site: and external communications ac- by ESB in September 2009. On the ESBnet Home Page: tivities and initiatives across the President of DIT, Professor Brian Click on ’Take me to‘ drop down business. Norton said: ”We are delighted to menu Thanks to everyone that took work with our colleagues in ESB and S e l e c t ‘ S h a r e d S e r v i c e s ’ the time to give us constructive with CIT on this initiative. DIT is com- Click on ‘Careers and Benefits’ feedback on our October update mitted to providing ladders of oppor- and if there are any questions or tunity in all disciplines that allow stu- Advantages of Easi Travel Plan feedback relating to any corpo- dents at all stages to progress to their • All annual tickets are tax free. rate communications issues please highest achievable level of qualifica- • Tickets available from anywhere do not hesitate to get in contact tion and this is an excellent example.” in the Republic of Ireland. with us. n Pictured at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, that will see up to 200 President of CIT, Dr. Brendan J. • Staff can save up to 47% of travel electrical apprentices progress through to a third level engineering degree, are Murphy said: “This is the sort of ini- costs as a result of tax and PRSI President of DIT, Professor Brian Norton, ESB Chief Executive, Padraig McManus and President of CIT, Dr Brendan J. Murphy. tiative that the country needs at this benefits. See www.taxsaver.ie . time and CIT is delighted to partner • No queuing - Tickets are delivered ESB, Dublin Institute of Technolo- of engineering graduates emerging with the ESB and DIT in providing a annually directly to ESB. Have your say! gy and Cork Institute of Technology from third level colleges. career progression for apprentices to • Parking is no longer a problem. Look out today (Friday, 26th November) signed ESB is working in partnership engineers and help to sustain and • ID cards are available free of For every questionnaire returned is donating €2 to Electric to show our appreciation for sharing your opinion, by responding to this survey aid. will automatically enter you into a draw to win an amazing break at a Memorandum of Understanding with Dublin Institute of Technology build Ireland’s future”. n charge. forthe Silver the tassie hotel

iF not uSing intERnaL MaiL PL (MoU) that will see the progression of and Cork Institute of Technology on • Leaving your car at home and acE Ireland’s biggest independent Hospitality Marketing Group, Select Hotels of reader StaMP hERE Ireland, is offering one lucky winner a wonderful break at The Silver Tassie Hotel, to celebrate our Select Hotel’s Christmas Gift Vouchers. up to 200 electrical apprentices this radical programme to address taking an alternative transport reland’s biggest independent the Hotel. If you prefer to sample thesurvey Hospitality Marketing Group, Select delights of the great outdoors you can Hotels of Ireland, is offering one I choose from wonderful golf courses, lucky winner a wonderful break at through to a third level engineering the deficit. option such as public transport, is The Silver Tassie Hotel, to celebrate surfing, walking, horse riding and our Select Hotel’s Christmas Gift Glenveagh National Park, the choicesinsert Vouchers. are endless. An ideal base to tour the stunning North West Coast of Ireland Please return to: degree. The first class of 36 will com- Speaking at the signing of the MoU of significant benefit to the envi- The 4 star Silver Tassie Hotel & Spa offers the very best of both with Derry City only away 33km from worlds – a rural setting gazing across the Hotel. Free WIFI access in most EM Readership Survey Lough Swilly whilst only a five minute areas of the hotel. 27 Lower Fitzwilliam Street mence their formal four year college at ESB Headquarters in Dublin, the ronment. See www.onesmallstep. drive from the main town of Let Select Hotels of Ireland Gift Dublin 2 - terkenny and a short 15 minute drive Vouchers are the perfect Gift this from Rathmullan Beach. Christmas. Select hotels of Ireland are the finest course in September 2011. Company’s Chief Executive, Padraig ie or www.change.ie for more de- This unique, cosy and intimate fam - ily run hotel is renowned for excellent independently owned hotels, north and service and award winning food with south. With a Select Hotel’s Voucher, the “Tassie Steak” a specialty! Open you can stay at any of our twenty four As part of a series of initiatives to McManus said: “In spite of the cur- tails. n fires, candlelit oak beamed foyer, Wonderful Select Hotels, covering the island of Ireland and all renowned relaxing surroundings and a friendly life simple – buy a select hotels of Ireland greeting awaits you. for their hospitality, value and high standards of accommodation. gift voucher. Why not enjoy relaxation time in our increase the number of electrical en- rent economic recession, companies Seascape Spa and let us wash away The perfect gift for any loved one, Parents, the in-laws or a special gift So, for Christmas, select hotel’s vouchers all your stresses with one of our many are the perfect Gift… treatments including our specialty for your other Half, the vouchers can be used for a romantic Dinner for two gineering graduates, ESB has com- like ESB must continue to plan for Susan Mahon in Expenses and Time Tullam- Seaweed baths or perhaps have your to a relaxing Spa Treatment or for And starting from only 50 euro per voucher, hair styled in our Atomic Hair Design, are wonderful value too. just two of the many ways to relax at that really special Gift a well deserved break away at a Select Hotel. Make Book online today at selecthotels.ie mitted to fund up to 50 apprentices the long term. We are witnessing a ore, Shared Services will be happy to answer through the four year college course. serious shortage of engineering grad- any further queries you may have. Please EM_READER SURVEY_2011-3.indd 1

02/12/2010 15:37:23 There is currently a severe shortage uates but this educational initiative Apprentices pictured at the event contact 057-9326411 or Extn. 71411. www.esb.ie/em Dec 2010 / Jan 2011 NEWS 11

lowing the ecar presentation and a Retirement Planning Seminars ESB ecars deliver high visit to the school yard where an ecar was on display. The ESB/RSA ‘Back visibility vests to Junior infants to School’ campaign distributed more than 80,000 high visibility vests to ju- nior infants nationwide. n

Back row (l-r): Pat Nevin, Networks; PJ Cooney, ITS; Greg Kennedy, ITS; John Sacred Heart National School, Ballygall, Dublin receive their high visibility vests Kelly, ITS; Harry Harold, Networks; Bernard Shaw, Telecoms; Tommy Kearns, by ESB ecars. Back row: Jimmy Brennan, School Principal; Dervla O’Flaherty, ESB Networks; Kevin St John, ITS; Pat O’Connell and Frank Wade, ITS. Front row ecars; Anita Rock, ESB; Ms. Brennan and Ms Deery, Junior Infants Teachers. (l-r): Mary Nevin, Lynda St John, Mary O’Connell, Customer Supply, Nuala Harold, Geraldine Shaw, Grace Kearns, Marian Kelly and Chris Wade. During the month of October, The schools, selected by the ecar ESB ecars delivered high visibil- trial participants, were located in School children in Scoil Iosagain, ity vests to 12 schools as part of the Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Sligo Blarney receive their high visibility vests by ESB ecars. Back row (l-r): Ms ESB/Road Safety Authority ‘Back to and Louth. There was great excite- O’Flynn, School Teacher; Ger Buckley, School’ campaign. ment and a high level of interest fol- ESB ecars and Tom Healy, ESB. Supporting Innovation Dublin Festival Innovation & Enterprise Conor (l-r): Bernard Collins, Networks; Charlie Kavanagh, ITS; Peter Kelly, Telecoms; Lenihan TD to the opening event in Nicky Kennedy, Gen Ops; Barry Walsh, ITS; Frank O’Connor, VSS; Jim O’Neill, Dublin City Council’s offices at ITS; Mary Kilkenny, Martin Kilkenny, Networks; Willie Carey, Customer Supply; Woodquay. Gerry White, Gen Ops; Joan Lynam, Corporate; Des Moore, Corporate; Billy That day, 20 lucky winners of an Raeside, Networks; Barbara Kennedy, Louis Holbrook, Gen Ops; Ann White, Bernadette Moore, Kathleen Rigney, ITS; Noreen Bertaut, ITS; Mary Raeside, online ecars competition test drove Joan Carey, Gloria Holbrook and Barbara Walsh. the iMiEV electric car around Dub- lin City. The feedback was extreme- ly positive and one winner was so impressed with e-driving that he re- served an electric car for purchase. One of the highlights of Innova- tion Dublin was the Globe Forum event, held in Dublin’s new confer- ence centre, which looked athow cities can be smarter and greener and use technology to drive inno- vation. At the forum, ESB ecars Managing Director Paul Mulvaney gave a presentation on Ireland’s Lord Mayor of Dublin Gerry Breen and Minister for Science, Innovation & Enterprise Conor Lenihan TD. Photo by Aisling Conroy. ecar story that also outlined the Back row (l-r): Joe Long, Networks; Jim Wilson, ITS; Ciaran Gogarty, Corporate; benefits of green motoring and the Jim Murphy, Networks; Barry Quinn, WOP; Colette Nugent, John Nugent, To celebrate t h e l a u n c h o f ecars transported Lord Mayor Gerry development of innovative ecar Customer Supply; Robert Smyth, Networks and Philip Larkin, Moneypoint. Front n row (l-r): Nora Wilson, Ann Gogarty, Marie Long, Bernadette Murphy, Kathleen Innovation Dublin, a cavalcade of Breen and Minister for S c i e n c e , solutions. Quinn, Jean Smyth, Gwen Byrne, Customer Supply and Carol Larkin.

Thug Fergus O Catháin agus Sti- Gluaisteán Leictreach ophán Mac Eoin cúirt ar Ghaelscoil Thaobh na Coille, An Chéim, Co i nGaelscoil Taobh na Coille Bhaile Átha Cliath chun gluaisteán leictreach iMiEV a thaispeáint do na dalta agus cur sios a thabhairt dóibh mar gheall ar an gcóras nua atá á bhunú ag ecars. Bhi alán suim ag na daltai, ni am- háin sna gluaisteáin leictreach, ach i gcúrsai comhshaoil agus fuinnimh comh maith. Tá sé soléir go dtuigeann said an (l-r): Bob Yeates, Networks; Mary Yeates, Dave O’Mara, ITS; Eddie Boyle, tábhacht atá ag baint leis na hábhair Services; Ann Gleeson, Owen Gleeson, Gen Ops; Dominick Colbert, ITS; seo, Bernadette Gregory, Cust Supply; Jim Kirwan, Shared Services; Mairead Boyle, agus an obair atá á dhéanamh Philip Coonagh, Gen Ops; William Kinsella, Gen Ops; Bernard Burke, ESBI; Tina Donoghue, Breda Ryan, Ursula Kirwan, Tom Hannigan, ITS; Frank Haberlin, againn chun córas gluaisteáin leict- Networks; Marie O’Mara, Deborah Burke, Thomas Ryan, Siobhan Hannigan, Stiophán Mac Eoin agus Fergus O Catháin, ESB agus Emer Nic reach a chur i bhfeidhm. n Breda Haberlin, Geraldine McNamara, ITS; Valerie Coonagh and Marian Kinsella. Chonchradha (Príomhaide) ag Gaelscoil Thaobh na Coille. 12 Dec 2010 / Jan 2011 www.esb.ie/em stay alert! Watch out for Internet scams energy solutions page 13

ESB HALO offers homeowners efficient and cost-effective energy choices ESB Energy “We are delighted that Dermot Solutions’ ‘Fight Bannon could join us to launch our new HALO Installation Service, a further example of ESB’s long-term Back’ - Entering the Dermot Bannon, Architect commitment to sustainability and and RTE presenter with Brian leadership in energy conservation. Dowd, Manager of the New I don’t believe anyone could forget Products and Services, ESB retail gas market Energy Solutions. the severe cold snap of last winter, so now more than ever, reducing the cost of keeping our homes warm is a Renowned architect and pre- as the most appealing product. huge priority. Through ESB’s trust- senter of RTE’s Room To Improve, Recognising the growing interest worthy HALO service homeowners Dermot Bannon, teamed up with ESB, for and genuine appeal of sustain- can seek the expertise and guid- Ireland’s largest energy provider, on able energy solutions, ESB created ance required to make the smart- Monday November 8th to launch the HALO Installation Service, est energy choices for their home,” HALO, the new, innovative, home en- which is a total one-stop solution said Brian Dowd, Manager of New ergy efficiency service designed to to home energy needs, from insu- Products and Services, ESB Energy meet the energy needs of homeown- lating your walls to solar panels Solutions. ers throughout the country. on your roof. ESB HALO provides Through this ESB service, the This new offering from ESB has homeowners with the products HALO team brings all the expertise the potential to reduce the energy and installation services they need required to your home, from the consumptions levels of Irish homes to maximise savings and minimise simplest to the most detailed energy in a significant way. Homeowners their carbon footprint. improvement measures. The team are the true beneficiaries of this RTE’s Dermot Bannon said, “I am offers advice and free quotes on the service, which enables them to re- delighted to join ESB in launching energy-saving steps to improve effi- Paul Cullen, CREST Project Manager with the project team. duce their energy bills while ensur- such a necessary service like HALO. ciency in the home and can also as- ing that their homes are kept warm As an architect by profession, you sist homeowners with the SEAI ESB Energy Solutions has start- ESB Energy Solution launches gas and comfortable in a more environ- simply cannot ignore the movement grant scheme. ESB HALO, within ed the next phase of its ‘fight- The launch of ESB Energy Solu- mentally-friendly way. there is towards sustainable energy a quality assurance framework, back’ by preparing to enter the tions’ Gas is the second phase of To better understand the needs of solutions when designing homes. installs a wide range of energy gas retail market. The launch of our fight-back and it will enable homeowners today, ESB carried out While energy efficiency mightn’t efficiency upgrades including: gas offerings next year to all cus- us to become a dual fuel supplier, a survey* earlier this year which re- have been a familiar concept to most • insulation tomers will enable us to become further increasing our attractive- vealed that 66% of Irish people would a few years ago, it is very much the • attic Insulation a dual fuel supplier, and will help ness in the competitive market. consider insulation products in a bid buzz word of today and the future • wall Insulation position ESB Energy Solutions In November 2010 we passed all to have a warmer house and reduce when considering energy products • Heating as an even stronger competitor internal and external testing of energy costs. Research following the for the home. HALO simplifies this • windows in the Irish retail energy mar- our key systems and processes 20,000 free surveys carried out by the process perfectly by guiding home- • Building Energy Rating (BER) ket. To ensure our gas launch is and we are on track to enter the ESB HALO team, also highlighted owners through the steps they can • Heat Recovery & Demand- successful we are running a staff market in 2011. that 50% of home owners would con- take towards creating a warmer Control Ventilation gas pilot to confirm that our sys- sider investing in renewable energy home, while reducing their bills and • Solar Technologies tems and processes are working The staff gas pilot solutions, with solar thermal ranked their carbon footprint.” • air Source Heat Pumps. n correctly. In order to ensure our gas launch is successful, we are running a Our fight back to date… Staff Gas Pilot. The pilot will In April 2010, CER issued a enable us to confirm our systems ESB Energy Saving Wizard ‘Roadmap to Deregulation’, and processes are working cor- which determined when and how rectly in the live environment be- recommendations on how to reduce ESB Energy Solutions could ‘fight fore the public launch in the New energy bills, and make their home a back’. It outlined that we could Year. The pilot will run for up to cosier place to live. It also gives esti- start offering competitive prices four months. It is an active pilot mated costs for the supply and instal- once we met certain criteria. where the staff who are partici- lation of the different measures in ad- In Quarter 3 2010 Energy So- pating, will switch to ESB Energy dition to the CO2 Savings. lutions met the deregulation cri- Solutions Gas from their previous Some handy hints have also been teria for business customers and provider and they will complete included to make the process as easy CER agreed that we could start a number of tasks using their gas as possible. to fight back and launch competi- account information, for example, Due to the different needs of Cus- tive electricity price plans to the providing a meter reading. Energy Saving Wizard Team (l-r): Greg Ryan, Joanne Laffan, Agency.com Aidan tomers, the recommendations in the business markets. Our new busi- “Support for ESB Energy Solu- Crowley, Agency.com; Sarah Lynch, Frank Burke, Lisa Dunne, Michael Hanratty and Report have been broken down into ness price plans are performing tions’ fight back is fantastic, as Daire Reilly, DIT. 3 sections; well in the market and we are evidenced by the number of staff The Energy Saving Wizard is an tion about the Customer’s home by • Actions you can take for free. exceeding our retention targets. who signed-up for the gas pilot. online tool that helps Customers es- asking a number of very straightfor- • Actions with a small cost that will Customers are very receptive Within the first three days of tablish the energy efficiency levels ward questions such as family size, save you money. to contact from ESB Energy So- launching the pilot recruitment of their home and recommends steps type of heating system, existing levels • Actions with a higher cost but po- lutions and we are continually campaign over 500 staff signed- on how to improve these levels and of insulation, etc. tentially substantial savings. looking at how to position our up. Thank you very much for make savings. On completion of the answers, the offers to make them more com- your ongoing support. We will It’s a unique, innovative, user customer receives a personalised En- Please log onto the Wizard today to find petitive and compelling to both continue to update you on our friendly and very robust product. ergy Saving Report. This Energy Sav- out more about your home energy needs existing and previously lost cus- progress.” Paul Cullen, CREST It establishes and gathers informa- ing Report gives advice and practical esb.ie/energywizard. tomers. Project Manager. n www.esb.ie/em Dec 2010 / Jan 2011 energy solutions 13

of the company and we will con- tinue our progress towards an in- ESBIE Dual Fuel jury free workplace. The Connected World: I know the excellent relation- ship between the customer and Contract with the ESBIE Customer Relationship Internet scams Manager, John Drinan has played a significant part in the deci- Cara Partners sion” commented Derek Russell, overpayments, Up-front pay- Commercial Manager, ESBIE. ment schemes, Money transfer He added, “Offering more serv- requests. ices and products to our existing customers has always been a key Health strategic goal of ESBIE and it is Fake online pharmacies, Miracle great to see we are continuing cures & Weight loss. to compete and win such busi- ness through competitive tender- Investment ing. Over the last year through Investment scams aka ‘get-rich- the determined work of many quick’, Investment cold calling, dedicated people we have grown Investment seminars, Share pro- SERVICES ORGANISATION our retail gas business to a level motions and ‘hot tips’, Sports in- where now we have contracts to vestment . supply gas to the equivalent of The internet changes at such over 10,000 domestic homes. I a rapid pace, and so quickly, that Jobs & Employment would like to thank Cara Part- it’s sometimes difficult to keep Superannuation, Business oppor- John Drinan, Senior Customer Relationship Manager ESBIE, Noel O’Neill Financial ners for their faith in ESBIE, track of it. Unfortunately one sec- tunity, Guaranteed employment Controller Cara Partners and Derek Russell Commercial Manager ESBIE. their valued business and their tion of our society that seems to / income, Work from home, Di- inputs to their final energy costs. willingness to work even more keep track of changing technolo- rectories and advertising (false ESBIE Commenting on the new con- closely with ESBIE in the future gies are the unscrupulous fraud- billing). tract, Noel O’Neill, Cara Part- – we will do all we can to ensure sters and con artists. In our previ- ESB Independent Energy ners Financial Controller, stated, their experience continues to be ous articles we discussed the issue Lottery and sweepstake scams (ESBIE) has signed a dual fuel “Cara Partners welcomes the se- a rewarding one”. of identity theft and how to pro- Unexpected ‘prizes’ or fake priz- contract to supply both electric- lection of ESBIE as our supplier Cara Partners is a French-Ger- tect your privacy. In this issue we es, Missed calls & text messages ity and natural gas to Cara Part- of electricity and natural gas. man joint venture that manufac- will be highlighting the various from unknown numbers, Ring ners. The contract was awarded We have an excellent working tures a standardised extract of scams used by fraudsters and con tone scams, SMS competition after ESBIE emerged as the suc- relationship with ESBIE and we Ginkgo Biloba, EGb 761, an ac- artists striving to part you from and trivia, ‘Free’ offers on the in- cessful supplier in a competitive hope to build on this with the ad- tive pharmaceutical ingredient your hard earned money. ternet. tender process. ditional business”. (API). Before we start, the scams list- Cara Partners is supplied at “Retaining the electricity sup- The joint venture is between ed below all exist and they are Life Style Medium Voltage and has an an- ply business of a key customer the Ipsen Group of France and not myths. The reason they exist Dating and romance, Psychic nual electricity consumption of 8 such as Cara Partners while also the Schwabe Group of Germany. is because (1) there are unscru- and clairvoyant scams. GWh and annual gas consump- expanding our relationship to Cara Partners employees 87 pulous people out there and (2) tion of 25 GWh. The contract for include the supply of natural gas people, of which 40 have a third there are trusting or vulnerable, Protect yourself – The Golden both gas and electricity is valued is excellent news for ESBIE. ESB level qualification. The plant op- people who fall for them. rules in excess of €1.2M. takes pride in the improvements erates a three shift system in the There have been many studies • If it looks too good to be true, The innovative contract struc- in health and safety that our peo- manufacturing facilities. completed on the psychology of it probably is. ture allows Cara Partners signifi- ple, and those working with us, Ginkgo biloba extract is used to selling. Some researchers break • There is no such thing as a free cant flexibility to determine the have delivered over the past dec- treat chronic cerebral impairment sales down into two types, the lunch gas, carbon and foreign exchange ade. Safety remains a core value and peripheral vascular disorders. n ‘fear’ sale and the ‘greed’ sale. • Use your common sense: the The ‘fear’ sale is where if you offer may be a scam. don’t do something or buy some- • Remember there are no real Speaking about the appointment, thing then something bad will get-rich-quick schemes: the New Appointment ESBIE ROI Sales Manager Mike happen. If you don’t buy a bur- only people who make money Counihan said, “It is great to have glar alarm then you will be bur- are the scammers. someone with the skill set and ex- gled. That is a hard sell as people • Always get independent advice perience of Danny joining our are more prone to part with their if an offer involves significant team. Danny will play a key role as money where there is a gain to money, time or commitment. we enhance our product offerings be had rather than a risk to be • Do not agree to offers or deals to our valued customers with the countered. The scammers rely on straight away: tell the person addition of gas. We will work hard the ‘greed’ sell. It’s much easier that you are not interested or over the next few years to grow our to get somebody’s attention and that you want to get some in- presence in this complementary get them to ‘buy’ something, if dependent advice before mak- market for ESBIE. Danny will be a they think that they are going to ing a decision. great asset to our business and we profit from it. • Never send money or give look forward with confidence to- There are many different types credit card or online account wards achieving our goals and of internet scams in operation details to anyone you do not meeting customer’s expectations.” throughout the world and they know and trust. ket in 2009 and has been steadily ESBIE Commercial Manager cover a variety of topics, all of • Check your bank account and ESBIE growing its customer base in a very Derek Russell commented, “It is which are designed to part you credit card statements when ESB Independent Energy recent- competitive environment. ESBIE timely to have Danny joining our from your money. They include you get them. If you see a ly appointed a new key member to its provides businesses with real team, as we have begun to make but are not limited to: transaction you cannot ex- team, Danny Mills, who comes to ES- choice when it comes to electricity, real inroads into the business retail plain, report it to your credit BIE with a wealth of experience in gas and energy services, as we con- gas market. We have very ambi- Financial card provider or bank. the gas and electricity sector. Danny tinue to build long-term strategic tious plans to grow our presence Banking & online account • if you receive requests for your worked for almost 10 years in utilities relationships with all our custom- and expand into other market sec- scams, Credit card scams, Pho- bank account information con- in both UK and Ireland and will now ers. We will continue to provide the tors. Danny will ensure that we ney fraud alerts, Requests for tact IS Security. n play a lead role in continuing to grow same top-class level of customer have a real focus in this area and your account information also ESBIE’s retail gas business. service to our customers in all our that we succeed.” n known as ‘phishing’. Chain let- For more information on safe comput- ESBIE entered the retail gas mar- product and service offerings. ters, Pyramid schemes, Cheque ing contact IS Security. 14 energy solutions Dec 2010 / Jan 2011 www.esb.ie/em ESBStore.ie product review ESB Independent Energy 8This issue Fergus Keane reviews Solar Powered Garden Lights launches An Taisce Green- from esbstores.ie Schools Project 2010

On the day that the ESB online leading provider of green energy, shop was launched, I decided to ESB Independent Energy is delight- take an early plunge, and ordered ed to support the An Taisce Green a 10m string of solar powered gar- Schools Energy Project for this, the den lights. They arrived the next generally be shining directly ahead third year. It is a unique project that day and I have been impressed as you look straight ahead of you. brings together primary school chil- with the sparkling sight of them in Before I received the product, I had dren with local businesses – students the back garden ever since, albeit thought that it might find some way are learning about reducing carbon at a lower brightness level since of harvesting the energy of a run- emissions and being greener, and Winter arrived. I have posted a ner’s movement, and perhaps in are then transferring this knowl- mini review of these on the ESB future versions of the product, the edge into positive environmental sustainability discussion board. manufacturers may have figured action at a wider community level.” One preference I have for the eS- this out. While making pathways Patricia Oliver, Director of An hop would be to see it hosting more visible to the runner, it would Pupils from St. Mary’s Boys National School. Taisce’s Environmental Education more LED lights, as I see these as also help make the runner more Unit, highlighted the positive im- being the real champions of energy visible, therefore hopefully making “To have reached a point where two pact that the Green-Schools En- ESBIE efficiency, so I was pleased when I the activity safer during Winter- thousand of Ireland’s National Schools ergy programme has had to date: was asked to review an LED. time. It can also double as a work are ‘going green’ is remarkable,” said “Last year alone, 15-20 million However, this is one with a differ- torch, with a light that is variable Minister for Communications, the Minister. “This is exactly the right units of electricity and 200 mil- ence: it is strapped to your head ! between spot focus and spread. Energy and Natural Resources, Ea- approach to be taking – educating lion litres of water were saved by This LED sensor jogger light Being a little quirky, you will mon Ryan, TD joined pupils from the future generations about sustain- Green-Schools throughout Ireland boasts that it is a “high quality, su- find it in the A“ lternative and Cool St. Mary’s Boys National School, ability and evoking a sense of passion over the school year. This is a fan- per versatile head torch, ideal for products” section of ESBStore.ie. Rathfarnham and staff from RTÉ to and excitement amongst them about tastic achievement and demonstra- joggers, walkers, or for all those While it doesn’t have the appeal launch this year’s An Taisce Green- green issues. I’m sure their collabora- tive of the effectiveness of projects jobs when you need good light and of products here such as the Liv- Schools ESB Independent Energy tion with RTÉ through the ESB In- such as this.” both hands free”. I have recently ing Colours mood light, it may be Project. The An Taisce Green- dependent Energy sponsored Green When asked about RTÉ’s involve- taken up running and I wondered useful as a gift for an enthusiastic Schools Energy Project, supported Energy Project will deliver more ef- ment in the Project, Eileen Duggan, how useful it might be during a jogger who wants to remove all by ESB Independent Energy, en- ficiencies both at the organisation and Office Services Manager with TR É test run at night in the local park. excuses for training during those courages primary school students in the school and I wish all involved explained “it’s great to be contrib- There is an undeniable strangeness bleak, dark winter evenings. and businesses to partner up in or- the very best of luck.” uting to this very constructive and in running through the darkness At €31.50 it seems good value, der to exchange expertise and de- Brid Horan, Executive Director worthwhile project with a school like a miner with a light strapped particularly given the fact that it vise creative ways to conserve en- Energy Solutions, ESB said: “As a which has clearly proved its com- to your forehead! While mostly, is LED-based technology, which ergy and reduce carbon emissions. mitment to sustainability and con- the light will help avoid twisting means the energy usage of the de- RTÉ teamed up with Ireland’s tinuous improvement.” an ankle on a tree branch, it will vice is negligible. n 2000th Green School, St Mary’s BNS, St. Mary’s is the 2,000th school Rathfarnham. The first of this year’s in Ireland to be awarded the pres- collaborations is seen as a flagship tigious Green Flag and in recogni- Aideen’s high standards and caring partnership and a major commit- tion of this achievement Minister Appreciation of others ran throughout her life both ment by RTÉ in reducing its car- Ryan raised the Green Flag at at work and in her personal life. Her bon footprint and developing its the school. In addition to Minis- Aideen Logan face brightened when she spoke of her already successful sustainability ter Ryan, the event was attended Aideen started husband Bernard and darling daugh- programme. Previous achieve- by representatives from ESB In- work in ESB Fleet ter Jenny. She had a very strong and ments by RTE and St Mary’s in ar- d e p e n d e n t E n e r g y , A n T a i s c e , Street, 29 short years unique sense of style, which shone eas of waste reduction, management RTÉ and the school’s Board of ago. She moved to through in house and home, in her and recycling have been recognised Management. n IT Solutions in 1990 garden and indeed herself. as best practice in both business and where her ability shone through, rec- Aideen’s great loves in her life were academic circles. It is envisaged that Schools and businesses wishing to Minister for Communications, Energy ognised through progressively more her husband Bernard, daughter Jenny, both RTÉ and St Mary’s will share and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan TD, participate in this year’s An Taisce Green senior roles. She will be best remem- Dylan (her dog), tranquil garden, and their expertise, knowledge and expe- Eileen Duggan of RTE, St. Mary’s Boys Schools Energy Project supported by ESB bered from her time in IT Consulting, of course all her family and friends - of riences to produce an effective and School Principal Tom Mullins and pupil Independent Energy can contact www. initially working with Bill Ebrill as her which Aideen had many. exciting partnership. Daniel Furlong. ESBie.ie for more details. mentor, until the point where Aideen We are all ver y saddened by Aideen’s became the Manager, IT Consulting. untimely passing and will long remem- With her experience, ability, work ber her for her wit, style, her concern Golf success a tight battle with Belvoir Park Munster champions Killarney. Bel- ethic, business acumen and relation- for others, her sense of humour and last with their top pairing of current voir Park emerged as the eventual n ships with customers, Aideen was but not least for her beautiful smile. Customer Supply Irish Senior International Violet winners. Well done Mary. respected, admired and valued as Aideen will indeed be missed by many McBride and Gail Linter giving a a senior manager both in IT, across but all have a very fond memory with magnificent display of golf as did wider ESB Business and with ESB a smile on their face. The Ladies Senior Foursomes the top pairing of Holly Robinson Business Partners. She played a vital Jenny and Bernard would like team (H’cap 0 – 14) from County and Marie Rooney of Co Sligo, part in the successful implementation to take this opportunity to thank Sligo Golf Club represented the with a number of birdies fired by of key major ESB IT projects includ- all Aideen’s friends and colleagues Western District in the 2010 Irish both sides before the northern pair ing MOIP and AIM. for the wonderful cards and letters Ladies Golf Union Inter-Club eventually emerged as winner on As Manager IT Consulting, she which have been of great comfort at Championships held in Donabate the 20th hole Exciting matches looked after the needs both business a very difficult time. Aideen loved Golf Club recently. Mary Conefrey, followed in the second and third and personal for all her staff. Her advice her work and enjoyed a very fulfill- Payments Control Team Leader, games also, with Belvoir Park was sought and valued by many. Aideen ing career, making a lot of wonder- Sligo was part of the team who holding on to claim the narrow always made time for others, no matter ful friends along the way. A Big drew Belvoir Park from Belfast in 1up victories in both which put what her own commitments were. heartfelt thank you to you all. n the first Semi-final. Co Sligo had them through the final against the www.esb.ie/em Dec 2010 / Jan 2011 energy solutions 15

Billing & Payments Partnership Group presentation to Heart Children Ireland

Customer Supply for parents and families of chil- dren with a Congenital Heart Dis- order. To date they have over In late 2009, a Charity account 1,000 member families. CHD is was set up within Payments, ES- the most common of all birth de- BCS to allow customers the op- fects affecting one in every one portunity to donate small sums hundred children born at present. At the UTV Business Eye Awards are (l-r): Derek Russell, ESB Independent Energy, Philip of money to a charity where they About half of all babies born with McLorinan, Dunmurry Dental Practice and Brenda Buckley, Business Eye. had a credit balance on their elec- CHD required heart operations. tricity account and a different This voluntary support group re- charity would benefit from these ceives no government funding and Paul Armstrong and Jacinta Mulligan UTV Business Eye Awards customer donations each year. representing Billing & Payments relies on their own fundraising This is the fourth year running This initiative has been very well Partnership Group making the and donations from individuals ESBIE that Business Eye has joined forces received by customers and a total presentation to Margaret Rogers, CEO, and business. Over the last 20 with UTV in hosting the event, of €720 was raised in 2010. The Heart Children Ireland, for donations years, Heart Children Ireland has Philip McLorinan of Dun- which is a key date in the Northern received in 2010. Billing & Payments Partnership raised over €2m for the cardiac murry Dental Practice won ESB Ireland business calendar and the Group nominated ‘Heart Chil- unit in Our Lady’s Children’s Hos- Independent Energy’s sponsored second year that the ESBIE Young dren Ireland’ as this years deserv- min team in Sligo acknowledging pital, Crumlin. Young Business personality of Business personality of the Year has ing charity. All customers who their donation to the nominated The Partnership group would like the Year at the UTV Business Eye been an integral part of the event. have donated money to the Char- charity. to extend its thanks to the Contact Awards 2010. The Award sets The Award is an extension of ity Account during the year will Founded in 1990, Heart Chil- Centre and all Billing & Payments out to identify Northern Ireland’s the ESBIE Young Business Per- be issued with a token ‘Thank dren Ireland is a registered charity staff in supporting this worthwhile young (35 years old or younger) sonality of the month which is an- You’ card by the Direct Debit Ad- and operates as a support group initiative. n entrepreneurs and business lead- nounced in Business Eye magazine ers where entrants were asked to throughout the year. demonstrate their achievements Within the other Awards Andor and dynamism in their respective Technology was named ‘Company Christmas Shopping at No 29 field. The Belfast based Dentist of the Year’ and Brian Brown, was presented with his award by Brown Coaches, was named Busi- Georgian House Museum Gift Shop Derek Russell, ESBIE. ness Personality of the Year. n

tary cup of tea or coffee before Print free day in ESB or after shopping. Shoppers spending over €50 will receive a complimentary pass to No 29 Museum, worth €12 (Admits 2 adults - children under 16 have free entry). No 29 is delighted to carry Anne Hogan exclusive artisan ElectricAid Charity Christmas cards. As these cards are made by Anne to raise funds for Elec- Sustainability champions based in ESB Head Office decided on a number of initiatives tricAid so discount does not ap- at a workshop early in 2010. Wednesday September 20th was designated print free and sustainable gift items. From ply. All funds from the sale of archive and heritage day across the company. On this day, staff were encouraged to look at innovative December 1st ESB staff can avail these exceptional cards go the ways to work without printing, and in the process, save paper, ink and energy from of 20% discount on all items for ElectricAid. The supply is lim- printing. Pictured above are: Executive Director Energy Solutions, Brid Horan, with ICT Sustainability Manager Maurice O Connor and sustainability champions Miriam No 29 Gift Shop carries many use- sale. Shoppers will be made very ited, so do shop early to avoid Graham, Peter Murphy and Linda Daniel Christie illustrating the quantity of paper that ful, educational, pleasing, practical welcome and enjoy a complimen- disappointment. n we can save through sustainability initiatives such as Print Free Day. ESBStore.ie – hits 1,000th order milestone! By Ray O’Mullane, ESBStore.ie Customer Supply Manager We are working continuously ney balloon so the ‘how-to’ vid- press, ezines and online, which ESBStore.ie made its one thou- to improve and update the store. eo is really handy! is reflected in a high-level of sandth sale on Tuesday Novem- We want every prospective buyer We have added a further 12 online search activity. The ber 2nd. Better still, there were to have an excellent experience new products to the store in the store is also featured in Your 35,236 visits to ESBstore.ie in when they visit our shop – and last few weeks including: a bat- Home this Season, our Cus- the month of October, an incred- even if they don’t buy first time tery charger with batteries that tomer Supply bill insert. ible level of interest and sales are around, we want them to come offer the benefits of convention- Remember, we have some up 80% on the previous month. back again. al ones (where they come pre- great energy-efficiency prod- Among the top selling prod- We have added tabs at Product charged), a solar-powered Blue- ucts that come with our strong ucts to date are: Description level on the site, giv- tooth speaker, solar powered recommendations. And, and 1) The Chimney Balloon ing detailed product specifica- party lights, a child’s guide-light present, we have free delivery 2) The Remote Control Socket tions and in many cases videos and others that we feel are ideal for all orders over €30. Save set explaining the product features. as Christmas gifts. yourself some energy in more caption3) The Living Colours LED The video has proved really pop- The store is benefitting from a ways than one and check out Light ular – for example, not many terrific marketing campaign of ESBStore.ie for some great 4) Carbon Monoxide Alarm. people know how to fit a chim- PR and advertising on TV, radio, Christmas present ideas! n 16 Dec 2010 / Jan 2011 www.esb.ie/em

End of an era Poolbeg closure E SB Networks Ltd pages 26

ESB Telecoms Ltd and Geo Networks ESB Telecoms and announce Dublin-UK subsea connection launch of Schools an extensive Irish and UK footprint ensuring that customers can use Broadband Programme and virtually unlimited, low latency standard transmission equipment bandwidth. Targeting users of high with the lowest latency. data volumes, the unique strength of This collaboration will result in an this agreement is based on its ability unprecedented fibre based offering to provide ‘dedicated’ fibre solutions, to customers of both organisations”, with no restrictions on what custom- said Chris Smedley, Chief Executive, ers do with it or how much capacity Geo. “With the combination of net- they use. work reach in both the UK and Ire- The agreement will benefit from land, our commercial model and the ESB Telecoms Ltd extensive fibre very design of this subsea connec- ESB Telecoms network throughout Dublin and tion, we fully expect this important Ireland and Geo’s high quality and new network to be of huge value to ESB Telecoms Ltd has an- reliable fibre optic network spanning the Irish, Welsh and English econo- nounced its collaboration with Geo 3,000km in the UK, connecting all mies for many years to come.” Networks Ltd in the UK to operate major commercial centres. In addi- As well as offering scalable band- a new subsea fibre optic cable con- tion, Geo own the most reliable fibre width with simple and rapid up- Tom Bambury, General Manager of ESB Telecoms, discussing ESB Telecoms Fibre necting Clonshaugh, Dublin to An- optic network in London. grades as requirements dictate, cus- routes in Dublin with Minister for Communications, Eamon Ryan TD. glesey, Wales which, will go live in “We are delighted to be part of tomers will also benefit from Geo’s 2011. this venture,” said Tom Bambury, commercial pricing model that con- ed with the remaining schools being ESB Telecoms The subsea connection, on which General Manager, ESB Telecoms. sistently demonstrates a far lower to- connected in the next two years. Internet Service provider Cogent “The combination of this initiative tal cost of ownership over time than The Irish Government is targeting On the October 4th Commu- Communications will be the debut with both of our extensive terrestrial traditional telecom offerings. delivery of 100 Mbit/s broadband nications Minister Eamon Ryan customer, is a new venture with fibre optic assets means that we can Cogent Communication the lead- to all Irish post-primary schools by launched this program at St. Colm- Geo, who are focused on designing now offer our clients an unrivalled ing multinational Tier 1 Internet the end of 2012. HEAnet, Ireland’s cille’s Community School; the stu- and building bespoke dedicated fi- network footprint on both sides of Service Provider has already signed National Education and Research dents demonstrated the capabilities bre network solutions across the UK the Irish Sea,” he added. up, allowing it to offer its UK and Network, in conjunction with ESB of the technology by carrying out and now in Ireland. The subsea cable will benefit from European customers’ continuous Telecoms are supporting the Irish interactive experiments online. Together ESB Telecoms Ltd and the most modern fibre technologies connectivity to Ireland. Government in this roll out. Tom Bambury, General Manager of Geo will be able to offer the most providing virtually limitless capac- ESB Telecoms Ltd are very pleased Under this programme over 700 ESB Telecoms, was at the launch to advanced, reliable and high per- ity, future-proofed for even the most to have partnered with Geo on this post-primary schools will have meet with the Minister. ESB Tele- formance solution ever to connect demanding requirements. The route project and look forward to being 100Mbit internet connection. The coms provides a significant portion Ireland and the UK which will pro- eliminates the need for subsea re- able to offer our customers’ access to first phase of this programme is now of its fibre backbone to HEAnet vide their customers with access to peaters or amplification technology, the UK in 2011. n complete with the first trance of 78 in order for this programme to be post-primary schools now connect- rolled out. n

Graduation of Emer Ploughing Championship Murphy from DIT Sustainable and Renewable on ESB scholarship Energy Competition winners At the Ploughing Emer Murphy at her gradu- ESB in 2006 while working for ESB Championship Sustain- ation from DIT Bolton Street on Networks Transmission in Inchicore able and Renewable November 13th when she received as an Engineering Officer and com- Competition are: Mary a BSc. honours degree in Environ- pleted her four year degree course Dagg, Science Teacher, m e n t a l M a n a g e m e n t w i t h 1 s t c l a s s in May 2010. Emer is currently on St Mary’s Secondary honours. maternity leave and the photograph School, Nenagh, with Emer received a scholarship from shows her with her new son Hugo. n student Ciardha Maher and Billy Nutley, ESB Networks. Ciardha was ESB Telecoms Ltd & Telecom Services raise one of the competition winners at the Champi- €425 for Breast Cancer Awareness onship. The prize was a Renewable Educational Also at the Ploughing In October, the Irish Cancer So- of developing breast cancer in their pink attire and with a small dona- Wind Energy Training Championship Sustainable and ciety and the Marie Keating Foun- lifetime. Regular screening and early tion there were delicious pink buns Kit for her school to Renewable Competition dation promoted awareness to fight diagnosis improves survival rates so available for morning break. A total promote the awareness are: Maria Sheehan, Breast Cancer throughout Ireland. it is essential that people have regular of €425 was collected and sent to the and understanding of Science Teacher St. It is important that everyone is health checks and make themselves Marie Keating foundation to fund the renewable energy in Caimin’s Community School, breast aware, as we all have a moth- aware of the warning signs. highest standard of treatment, sup- the classroom and to Shannon, with student and competition winner, Aideen Farrell, er, sister, cousin, aunt, colleague or On Friday October 22nd ESB Tel- port and care, and to improve the encourage the produc- and Billy Nutley of ESB Networks. Their prize best friend who could be affected. ecoms Ltd and Telecom Services held quality of life of people living with tion of energy from sus- was also a Renewable Educational Wind Irish women have a one in 12 chance a Pink Day, where employees wore Breast Cancer. n tainable sources. n Energy Training Kit for their school. www.esb.ie/em Dec 2010 / Jan 2011 ESB NETWORKS ltd 17 Completion of the FÁS Apprentice Initiative the team. I am very grateful to ESB for giving me the opportunity to finish my apprenticeship, to work in a company which treats its staff so well, where morale is so good. I worked with a really decent bunch of lads who taught me a lot and I would love to stay on, but I know it’s not possible. I will always re- member my time working in ESB.” We also met Thomas (l-r): David Sandford, ESB Telecoms General Manager, Tom Bambury, Niamh Crawford Carton from Dun- of Silicon Republic, Michelle Montayne and David Walshe. boyne who had previ- ously spent six months ESB Telecoms Ltd Apprentices Thomas Carton (above) and Diarmaid Hynes trying to find work af- (inset). ter completing his phase 6. Thomas completed 12 attends TIF Conference In April 2009, ESB announced a During the final weeks on-the-job training in connections of 100Mbps or higher. series of initiatives to create and sus- week of the initiative ESB Networks, Finglas, under ESB Telecoms Representing Ireland’s position tain jobs and training opportunities in October 2010, we met Diarmaid the guidance of construction supervi- on the digital economy was Com- in the economy. Among these initia- Hynes from Blanchardstown who sor Joe Crowe. Thomas said he “was The 17th Annual TIF (Telecom- munications Minister Eamon Ryan tives, ESB committed to facilitate 400 has been with ESB Networks, Fin- familiar with industrial wiring only, munications & Internet Federation) who believes a green economy and redundant apprentices to gain their glas, under the guidance of construc- and this opportunity of working Conference took place in Dublin a digital economy go hand-in-hand. on-the-job work experience during tion supervisor Shane Fox for both with Construction gave me a great Castle on Tuesday October 12th and Minister Ryan is the driving force 2009-10. The programme proved his Phase 5 (six months) and Phase 7 insight into the Networks operations featured Ireland’s most senior tel- behind initiatives like the Exemplar very successful for those apprentices (three months). Diarmaid had previ- setup. It was a great learning curve ecoms executives including ESB Tel- Network, the National Broadband who were made redundant and who ously worked with a company spe- for me as it broadened my knowl- ecoms Ltd, debating key issues from Scheme and recently passed legisla- were unable to source an employer to cialising in industrial and domestic in- edge base to take with me into the next generation networks, who will tion ensuring the National Roads complete their apprenticeship. stallations, which unfortunately went job market.” build these networks and the role A u t h o r i t y p r o v i d e s t e l c o s w i t h This initiative could not have hap- out of business, leaving him with no ESB Networks staff gained from green technology will play in trans- access to ducting beneath Ireland’s pened without the leadership, support job to return to after completing his working with these young apprentic- forming the telecoms industry. motorways. and mentoring of ESB Network’s Su- Phase four in college. Diarmaid had es who showed genuine appreciation Headlining the event was the Eu- ESB Telecoms Ltd attended the pervisors and Network Technicians. been unemployed for 4 months when for the opportunity afforded to them ropean Commissioner driving the TIF conference and below is the It has been a very positive learning he received a letter from FÁS inviting by ESB Networks. Particular thanks EU’s Digital Agenda, Neelie Kroes, lucky winner Niamh Crawford experience for everyone involved, him to indicate if he was interested in to Maria Dempsey, Portlaoise Net- who has set a target for 2020 to have from Silicon Republic who won the with ESB staff reporting that they the FÁS/ESB initiative. works Training Centre, Apprentice internet speeds of 30Mbps or higher iPad competition that was run on found it ‘refreshing and insightful to Diarmaid said “I loved working in Administration team who co-ordi- for all European citizens, with half of an ESB Telecoms Ltd stand on the have the FÁS Apprentices working ESB Networks, I was immediately nated the induction and assignments European households subscribing to day. n with us for the past two years’. made to feel welcome and part of for the FÁS apprentices. n Changing times The West’s wide awake and kicking! The Networks team of 2010 are: Back row (l-r): Derek Kelleher, Kevin O Connor, Patrick Guckian, Harry Clarke and Joseph Fitzmaurice. In the middle is Declan Devaney and Front row (l-r): Martin Donnelly, Martin McCaffrey, Mark Mitchell and Aiden McGurren.

IT improvement for outdoor staff Edel Farrelly and Deirdre McK- This facility now enables outdoor enna of the Dublin North Partner- staff who up until now did not nor- The Networks team in 1980 were: Back ship Group, in conjunction with Paul mally have access to the Intranet, the Row (l-r): Michael Carney, Sean Lee, Michael O’Brien and Larry Taffe, have set up opportunity to log in and avail of ac- Cahill, Padraig Carty and Paddy Quinn. access for ALL staff countrywide cess to the following; Middle Row (l-r): John McGetrick, Sean to gain access to ESB Intranet from • Safety Documentation, Job Aids, etc Derek Kelleher sent EM this 220kV together with the original Murtagh, Michael McCarrick, Michael any PC in the company. The sign in • Job vacancies McMorough, Padraig Toner, Mathew Hoey, new-look wall photograph of staff photograph taken in 1980 during amesLynch and Mick Teape. Front Row (l-r): is User ID and can be obtained from • Pension information as they approach the end of the the building of the station. n Mick Feely, Declan Devaney, Brendan Griffin, supervisors and managers or any of • St. Patrick’s CU protection upgrade of Flagford Sean Rooney and Michael McDermott. the above mentioned. • Sustainability information n 18 ESB NETWORKS ltd Dec 2010 / Jan 2011 www.esb.ie/em

Sustainability Update ESB Networks staff help make Cavan ESB Networks Green Fleadh a success venues, set up mobile generation for the arena and erected the infrastruc- ture for the e-vehicle charging point. Special procedures were put in place to ensure that the local distribution networks were available at full ca- pacity at all times for the period of the Fleadh. Cavan 38kV Station site occupies a prominent position entering the town. The station is undergoing a major refurbishment at present. ESB Networks Project staff, on foot of a Eddie McDonnell demonstrating the new energy monitoring system in Finglas to request from the Fleadh Committee, local Sustainability Champions Paddy O’Keeffe and Bernie Jones. carried out major face-lift of the sta- tion works site. The result was com- plimented by the Fleadh Committee. Sustainability – Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann Networks Sustainability Champions, Camouflage netting, hedge-trim- 2010 was held in Cavan Town in promoted energy saving with small ming and the planting of decorative Monitoring energy August, for the first time since businesses in the town. John Cam- shrubs improved its appearance and 1954. Comhaltas Ceoiltoirí Éireann pion launched the Green Fleadh by all was put in place promptly. worked closely with Cavan County charging an ESB electric car at the ESB Networks staff can feel proud usage in Networks and Town Councils and with com- port outside the courthouse. This that their efforts contributed to the mercial, community and sporting event generated huge local interest announcement that the 2011 Fleadh premises groups in its preparation of the event. and coverage in papers and radio. will also be staged in Cavan due to The director of events was Cavan ESB Networks staff, their families the overwhelming success of this Reducing the internal carbon ter months, a renewed focus along County Manager Jack Keyes. and retired staff, were involved in year’s Fleadh. Particular thanks are footprint of our buildings is one of with the continuing support of all Over 10 days, the Fleadh attracted organising the event. They worked due to Sean O’Connell, John Mol- the major priorities of the Networks Networks staff will be required if an attendance in excess of 300,000 on various committees, organising loy, Peter Lambe, Peter Connolly, Sustainability programme. In our the 2010 target of a 10% reduction people, 140 competitions were held and planning the event as volunteers Brendan Kiernan, Ciaran McBrian continuing drive to reduce energy in energy consumption on 2009 is in 22 venues throughout the town in their own time. Others took part and all the Cavan staff for their ef- consumption and improve energy to be achieved. and 3,000 people, from all over the in competitions and performed in the forts in ensuring that ESB supported efficiency, energy monitoring sys- Everyone has a role to play and world, competed. many seisiúin during the week. the smooth running of the Fleadh. tems are to be trialled in a number can make a positive contribution. This year’s event was promoted Preceding the event, local ESB In Cavan, we now look forward to of the larger Networks premises. In particular, the following simple as the ‘Green Fleadh’ and Cavan Networks staff planned and pro- hosting Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann For instance a new system has actions can help: County Council, supported by ESB vided temporary power supplies for 2011. n recently been installed in Finglas. • Try to minimise energy usage Using powerful and user-friendly during “unoccupied” periods e.g. web enabled interfaces and graphi- nights, weekends cal outputs, energy load and con- • Remember to “Switch off” lights Paul Maloney sumption on individual circuits and heating when not required such as those feeding the canteen, and not in use, particularly in un- graduation communications room, and individ- occupied rooms, meeting rooms ual floors can be easily monitored, and remote buildings Paul Maloney’s Graduation measured and ultimately managed. • ‘Switch off and power down’ the took place in the Library Hall in This system will help identify areas following at the end of the work- the RDS on Friday November where further remedial works and ing day 12th. His two-year long night efficiencies can be applied. – pcs and peripherals course, offered by the National A separate system, presently being – printers and photocopiers College of Ireland (NCI), was installed in Leopardstown Road, is – plug in fans / portable heaters in first-line management and due to be commissioned within the According to Paddy Hamill, on completion of the course he next few weeks. A third system is Networks Sustainability Manager, (l-r): Walter Keady, Deirdre McKenna, Garda Jim McAllister, Antoinette Lacey, Mary was award a HETAC certificate also planned for the Training Centre “there is a real appetite building up Moyles and Ita Johnston at the presentation. equivalent to a level six qualifi- in Portlaoise. If these prove success- for Sustainability in Networks; if cation. n ful, the intention would be to roll we all pull together and all play our out energy management systems to part, then we can make a real dif- other ESB Networks premises in the ference and build on the significant Dublin North New Year. successes already achieved”. n According to Eddie McDonnell, Partnership who is managing the project, the new systems “will be a big help in our ongoing efforts to reduce ener- promotes Safety gy consumption and should help us considerably identify specific areas As part of Health & Safety His presentation was most in- that we need to address and focus Week, the Dublin North Part- formative and carried strong in on”. nership Group arranged for messages on the importance Garda Sergeant Jim McAllister of driving at a speed appropri- Improving Energy Efficiency – of the Road Safety Unit to ad- ate to the conditions. Sergeant everyone has a role to play dress staff in Finglas. The pres- McAllister also gave statistics At the end of October, energy con- entation took place on Tuesday to support that the reduction sumption in Networks’ premises October 19th and the Sergeant in speed leads to a reduction in was down 5.1% on the same period addressed the topics of Driving road deaths in the event of an 2009. As we head into the cold win- for Work and general day-to- accident. n day driving. Dec 2010 /Jan 2011 www.esb.ie/em 19 Sustainability workshop for senior Energy International management Generation Operations, page 27 Crisis Management Exercise at ESBI the CMT’s response and deci- ESBI sion-making process. New sce- narios were also introduced as ESBI’s third annual crisis the exercise unfolded including management exercise took place a simulated ‘live’ television in- on Friday October 15th in the terview, carried out by media company’s Crisis Management relations experts Communiqué Centre at Stephen Court. International, with ESB Corpo- The exercise commenced at rate Communications Manager 8:50am following notification to Brian Montayne. ESBI’s Crisis Management Team The four-hour exercise was (CMT) that a major incident had followed by a review by RMI occurred at its Coolkeeragh pow- that identified key areas for im- Nicholas Tarrant, er station in Co. Derry. As part of provement. Delegates from Generation Operations and ESBI O&M Solutions Manager Generation the Crisis Management Plan, the “The simulation was very pictured at the first ESBEI Generation Technical Conference. Operations, presenting CMT mobilised and commenced informative and highlighted at the conference. dealing with the simulated inci- several ways in which we can dent by gathering and validating improve our crisis manage- information. As the exercise pro- ment planning. The exercise gressed, key issues were identi- again demonstrated the impor- fied and resolved through live cri- tance of having a dedicated First ESBEI Power Plant sis planning and the management Business Continuity Coordina- of stakeholder relationships with tor, trained crisis management key parties including ESB Corpo- staff and systems available for Managers’ conference a rate Affairs, staff, next-of-kin and handling such an event,” said senior management teams. ESBI’s newly appointed Crisis The exercise also included sev- Management Team Leader Vin- major success eral elements and scenarios that cent Flynn. were role-played via telephone, The objectives of the exercise mon interest were also held with a ter steam chemistry management. ESBI web and media injects. In addi- were to test ESBI’s incident es- particular focus on Process Safety Several external presenters added tion to ongoing management of calation process and identify and Overhaul Management. valuable input from perspectives the simulated incident, the CMT areas of improvement in ESBI’s Generation Operations Pat O’Doherty, Executive Direc- of chemical suppliers, water treat- was also responsible for devising Crisis Management Plan, and (GO) and ESBI O&M Solutions tor, ESB Energy International at- ment and chemical instrumentation strategies to mitigate the incident in this respect the exercise was are responsible for operating and tended the full conference and in manufacturers. and to assess its impact on business. very successful. Thank you to maintaining power stations in Ire- his opening address gave an update Both conferences were major During the course of the ex- all who participated, particu- land and internationally on behalf on Energy International’s business successes and similar initiatives are ercise, ESBI’s risk consultants, larly ESB Corporate Commu- of ESB Energy International. On looking forward, with a key em- planned for the future. n Risk Management International nications, RMI and all ESB and 19th November, the two groups phasis on delivering high perform- n Pat O’Doherty, Executive Director (RMI), monitored and recorded ESBI staff. held their first joint conference, and ance across the directorate. ESBEI addressing the conference. the one-day event proved a major Earlier in the month, a similar success. knowledge-share exercise took Attendees comprised the senior place with the first joint GO/ESBI management teams plant manag- Plant Chemists’ conference. The ers from Irish and international sta- event involved chemists sharing tions, and the main objective of the experiences and challenges on a conference centred around sharing wide range of technical topics in- of expertise and best practices in cluding gas turbine inlet air and plant operations & maintenance. compressor monitoring, lube oil Workshops on key issues of com- varnishing issues, and boiler wa-

ESBI’s CMT in action during the recent simulated exercise at the Stephen Court Crisis Management Centre.

ESBI Safety conference News, page 20

Glenn Pope, Manager Moneypoint and Vincent Flynn, Manager Damian O’Neill, ESBI, Tom Lee, General Manager Kulim and Roy Donal Crean (standing) in discussion with safety conference participants, including ESBI O&M Solutions, listen to presentations during the ESBEI Reid, Plant Manager, Amorebieta. Glenn Pope, Haulie Storan, Sean Rynne, Senan Colleran and Ciaran McManus. Generation Technical Conference. 20 ENERGY INTERNATIONAL Dec 2010 /Jan 2011 www.esb.ie/em Innovative Illumination next year’s Woodcollective instal- lation at Electric Picnic and other events. As well as public interest, there have been expressions of in- terest from researchers, public bod- ies and curators to Woodcollective’s activities this year. It is hoped to develop future collaborations with ESB and identify areas of mutual interest. Presenters at Eugene acknowledged the sup- the recent AMS port of ESBI Building Consultancy Workshop in Athlone. Group management, ESBI col- leagues Mark Field who designed the exhibition material, and Alan Burke who collaborated on the site At the AMS Workshop (l-r): John Higgins, Garry Cosgrove, ESB Sustainable Lighting of Woodcollective Project at Electric Picnic. ESB was official Callaghan Ahern, Michael Fox and Michael Conry. sustainability partner to Electric Picnic, driving energy efficiency and helping to reduce build. Logistical support was also the festivals lighting emissions by 20%. given by ESB North Wall. n AMS Team’s first group workshop the ‘WOW!’ factor largely due to For further information and images of the ESBI Kevin Ryan who managed the ‘Pic- Electric Picnic Collaboration with ESB see in Athlone nic Power’ site build. www.woodcollective.ie Advisor Paul Clancy. An interac- The recent Woodcollective Ex- The objective was to raise aware- ESBI tive Staff Survey workshop was hibition, as part of Innovation Dub- ness, question assumptions and conducted by Siobhan Murphy and lin Festival, documented the 2010 generate ideas about wood as a re- ESBI Engineering Solutions’ Niall Kearns, both of AMS, and this collaborative project at Electric newable, sustainable and versatile Asset Management Services Team proved highly successful in teasing Picnic between industry, research resource. The interpretative ma- (AMS) held a workshop in Athlone out issues of importance to staff. organisations and State agencies. terials demonstrated innovative on Thursday October 21st. The workshop’s penultimate ses- The project was supported by CO- use of timber highlighting the ESBI Engineering Solutions Des- sion was devoted to safe driving, FORD, Wood Marketing Federa- wood product life cycle, wood ignate Manager Billy Byrne offi- and a powerful presentation was tion, Glennon Brothers and ESB. fuels and the context of car- cially opened the event. There fol- given by Garda Jim McAllister, This year’s expanded project bon sequestration. The installa- lowed addresses from Michael Fox, followed by a very interesting and featured three structures, includ- tion became a popular meeting Liam Walsh and Mick Mackey of informative Q&A session. ing the ‘Crashing Wave’ structure point for many of the 30,000 at- the SMT. Bevin Cody gave a pres- Speaking at the conclusion of the premiated in International Juried tendance at the festival. entation on branding, and Michael event, AMS Manager Mick Sherlock Competition in Norway in May. In June of this year, Eugene Mahon, Ann Wilson and Eva Kiss said, “This workshop proved a huge All structures were prefabricated, Boyle, coordinator of the project, presented on SAP implementation success and the event acted as an demountable and reusable for oth- was an assessor on the Third Level in ESBI. opportunity for the team to interact The ‘Crashing Wave’ structure premiated er events. The sustainable lighting Wood Desig n Awards a nd a nu mber in International Juried Competition in AMS presentations were made as a whole with the SMT to address collaboration by ESB certainly had of those entries will be exhibited in Bergen, Norway in May. by Michael Conry, Stewart Flood, specific work-life balance and safety Michael Gardner, Lu Bai, Vincent issues. Most importantly, it acted as Murphy, Stuart Roche, Paul Clancy, an ideal platform for our younger Niall Kearns, James Mullins, Tim members of staff to showcase their Power Walkers Noonan and Brendan Diggin. Live talents and to gain experience from equipment demonstrations were their colleagues, and we look for- Clean Coal given by Dominick Fitzsimons, Dan ward to conducting a similar exer- step it out & CSS Catanase, Stuart Roche, Padraig O cise again in the future”. Sullivan, Gerry O ‘Brian, Pat Flynn A special note of thanks was Energy International, page 25 and Callaghan Ahern. made to Maureen Ferguson whose A focus of the event was a work- event organisation skills are second shop on safety, conducted by Safety to none. n

Independent Generation ESBI

supports Ballinakill Students, teachers and parents from Ballinakill National National School School recently held their annual walk at Derrybrien Wind Farm which, this year, raised funds to purchase music equipment for the school. Independent Generation’s ESBI’s Power Walkers, the leading team from ESB Group, who achieved 4th place Kieran Tubridy explained the dif- overall in this year’s Pedometer Challenge. ferent aspects of the wind farm and turbines to the students as the Leading the way is Maureen Congratulations to Neil and walk progressed, and the students Ferguson who amassed the phe- with his wife Noelle (also of ESBI), in turn later treated their guests to nomenal total of just under 946,000 who celebrated the birth of their a recital with their new musical in- steps. Part of her total was achieved daughter Kate, during the Pedom- struments. The students managed by swimming ….in the open sea! eter Challenge. Rumour has it that to raise over €700 to purchase new Other team members following in Neil volunteered to do all the night guitars, banjos and keyboards for Maureen’s wake are Ray Hester, time feeds in order to boost his the school band and Independent Noel Clarke (Team Captain), Mar- step total, as he walked the floor Pictured with the children of Ballinakill National School are: Kieran Tubridy of Generation was delighted to do- tin Heavey and Neil Quinn. while ‘winding’ the baby! n Independent Generation and Gerard Fahy, Principal. nate €900 in support. n www.esb.ie/em Dec 2010 /Jan 2011 ENERGY INTERNATIONAL 21

Chief Executive Health and Safety Committee hosted in West Offaly Power

our Zero injuries goal. He implored everyone to participate in risk assess- ment as the toll for pre-empting injury causes and eliminating them. Owen Wilson, Manager, Group HSE pro- vided safety performance statistics. The three sub groups of Best Prac- tice Sharing, Learning from Safety Critical Incidents and High Impact Reporting and Communications are At Carbon Forum Asia 2010 (l-r): Phil Doyle, Head of Carbon Solutions; Joe Duignan, chaired by Dominic O’Brien, George Business Development Manager, Carbon Solutions; Conor Lenihan TD, Minister for Science, Technology, Innovation & Natural Resources; Wafa Abdul Rhaman, a O’Driscoll and Sarah Gallagher re- representative of ESBI’s agent in the region; and H.E. Joe Hayes, Irish Ambassador to spectively. If you have any comments Singapore. or suggestions for consideration by most recent issue being the breaking any of these please contact the rel- geNERATION operations into substations and theft of copper. evant chairperson. The Committee ESBI Carbon Solutions exhibits The Chief Executive congratulated conducted two workshops: Safety at Carbon Forum Asia 2010 The Committee held its second all concerned for the tremendous and Health Key Performance Indica- meeting this year on 5th November improvement in safety as measured tors and Ergonomics. More details on Conor Lenihan TD, also visited the in West Offaly Power. Tom Reilly, by LTIs. He warned against compla- this and all items discussed are avail- ESBI ESBI Carbon Solutions stand at the Public Safety Manager, ESB Net- cency and urged for continued re- able in the minutes at Health, Safety exhibition. works updated the committee on the porting of P1 incidents and thorough & Environment - Chief Executive’s ESBI Carbon Solutions had Speaking at the event, Joe Duig- scope of Public Safety concern, the investigation of these as a driver for Safety Committee n the opportunity to meet a large nan, newly-appointed Business number of project developers at Development Manager with ESBI the Carbon Forum Asia 2010 ex- Carbon Solutions said: “This event hibition which took place recently provides ESBI with an ideal oppor- Kulim staff scale Mount in Singapore. Projects in South tunity to meet with potential leads East Asia are likely to play a key and increase our presence in this role in sourcing carbon credits for region. Kinabalu ESB, and trade shows provide an South East Asia is a very impor- excellent opportunity to generate tant market to ESBI and we already project leads. have a presence here with the Pe- In addition to the developers saka project in Malaysia, which is who attended the event, the Min- shortly due to begin construction, ister for Science, Technology, In- and which is expected to generate novation and Natural Resources, close to 500,000 credits for ESB.” n

International Asset Management Forum nine European utilities attended the event this year. ESBI chocolate. The rocky trail took on Laban Rata Rest House. In his opening presentation, the appearance of seemingly endless Michael Fox, ESBI Engineering Members of ESB International flights of stairs until they rose above part of the journey was the descent outlined ESB’s 2020 strategic vi- were literally scaling new heights the treeline where they got the first down ‘the staircase’ through the rain sion and how ESBI Engineering this summer, when a group climbed look at the treacherous rockface forest, by which time they were all is assisting ESB in its achieve- Mount Kinabalu, the highest moun- leading to the summit. Here, a rope suffering from stiff muscles. ment. tain in Borneo. was fixed along the trail and they One team member said: “We liter- Carmel O’Connor, ESB Net- Standing at 4,095m (13,435ft), the literally pulled themselves upwards ally limped the last 200metres to the works, presented on Networks’ granite massif is nearly four times and out above the clouds. start/finish point at Timporon Gate!” achievements under Price Re- taller than Ireland’s tallest moun- Finally, they saw the distinct wide In addition to a memorable ad- view 2 (PR2) and outlined some tain Carrantouhill (1,050m) and it triangle of Low’s Peak and knew venture, the ESBI team earned of the challenges facing Net- is located in the Kinabalu National they were near the summit, which certificates to commemorate their works in delivering on the Price Park, a world heritage site. they reached at 6am. achievement: the conquest of Bor- Review 3 (PR3) targets. Other Michael Fox, Manager, ESBI The ESBI group set off on their On the way back, the most difficult neo’s highest mountain. n Engineering presenting at the AM presenters from ESBI included two-day adventure walking on Sat- Forum. Brendan Diggin, Greg Hanna, urday July 26th after registering Eamonn Duggan, Michael Con- their trek at the park’s headquarters ESBI ry and Colin McCahey. and picking up a guide. Jon O’Sullivan presented on About 5km into the walk, the The 2010 meeting of the In- Eirgrid’s policy on the Grid Code effects of altitude began to hit the ternational Asset Management and outlined the implications of party, but they made it safely to the Forum was held in Dublin on high wind penetration on grid plateau at 3,273m and Laban Rata 18th and 19th October and was operation. where they spent the night. Next organised by ESBI Engineering’s The event was co-hosted by morning, the group rose at 1.30am Asset Management Services. ESBI Engineering Solutions, to begin climbing at 2.30am after a ESBI Kulim staff who took part in the Low’s Peak - the Summit of More than 40 participants from ESB Networks and EirGrid. n light breakfast chiefly of nuts and climb. Mount Kinabalu. 22 ENERGY INTERNATIONAL Dec 2010 /Jan 2011 www.esb.ie/em ESBI receives Environmental Certificates for Zanzibar Interconnector Project

ESBI tion of the ESIA documents, Dr. Paddy Kavanagh led an envi- As part of the US-funded Mil- ronment team comprising lennium Challenge Account En- local marine experts, ergy Project in Tanzania, a new ecologists from the 132kV sub-sea interconnector will University of Dar es be installed between mainland Salaam and Zanzibar Tanzania and Zanzibar Island, to- Island and social im- gether with associated power lines. pact consultants. ESBI is the consultant engineer and Widespread con- construction contract supervisor sultation with state for this project. agencies, institutions, Under legislation established local businesses and both in Tanzania and Zanzibar, communities on both projects of this nature must un- the mainland and Zanzi- dergo environmental and social bar took place. As the pro- impact assessment. Although for- posed sub-sea interconnector mally united, both states operate route passed through the Menai At Dublin Bay Power Plant are 14 transition year students who took part in ESBI’s under their own individual legis- Bay Conservation Area, near Un- Extensive marine diver surveys were Women in Engineering initiative. lation and environmental permits guja Island, a detailed assessment carried out to ensure that any potential must be issued by their respective of the route was undertaken and impacts on the protected coral reefs Ministries before any construction extensive marine diver surveys were avoided. ESBI’s Women in Engineering is allowed to take place. were carried out to ensure that any As part of the project implemen- potential impacts on the protected Ministry-approved ESIA docu- initiative now in its third year tation, ESBI’s Environment Group coral reefs were avoided. Assess- ments, were received by ESBI’s tric Car. Other activities included undertook preparation of the Envi- ments were also undertaken in the project team thus facilitating the ESBI meeting some of ESBI’s young en- ronment and Social Impact Assess- marine environment along the pro- progression of the MCA-T inter- gineers and taking part in various ment (ESIA) for the interconnector posed cable route. connector project to construction ESBI’s Women in Engineering pro- engineering challenges. project on behalf of both utilities, Environmental Impact Assess- phase. n gramme aims to encourage and support Each year ESBI also follows up TANESCO and ZECO. In prepara- ment Certificates, based on the young women in an engineering career with schools to see if any of the stu- by educating them about engineering dents have taken up engineering as in general and what ESBEI does. a subject post-Leaving Certificate. This year’s events took place from It is always difficult to envisage 9th to 11th November, and 14 girls one’s career path when young, and from seven schools around Dublin ESBI hopes Women in Engineering took part. Programme events in- gives students an idea of the many cluded tours of Dublin Bay Power opportunities and potential for en- and the National Control Centre, joyment that an engineering career along with a trip in ESB’s Elec- can bring. n Internal Quality Auditor training course The FHR Project Team pictured at its offices in Merrion Square. Team members missing from the photograph: Triona Bredin, Nicky Bright, Marie Barry and Deirdre Arthur. ESBI Financials & HR Project – Go Live The project team has been hard Pay process and a Billing Team to ESBI at work since January 2010 design- manage the new billing solution ing, building and testing the new for ESBI Engineering. Additional- The ESBI Financials & HR Project system. As the testing is conclud- ly, the Accounts Payable function Back row (l-r): Bill Quilliam, Irina Alonge, Noel Clarke, Martin Heavey and Claire Looney. Front row (l-r): Pat O’Doherty, Executive Director ESB Energy International, to extend the use of its SAP Solu- ing and the fully operational sys- in ESBI is transferring to Shared Louise Connolly and Billy Byrne, Manager ESBI Engineering Solutions. Missing from tion, and to add additonal features, tem is rolling out to staff in ESBI, Services. the photograph are Avril Colfer, Rose Walsh, Paul Hogan and Alan McManus. is set to achieve its target of ‘Going the project team is delighted to see Communications, briefings and Live’ on Saturday January 1st. its efforts rewarded in the realisa- training required by these chang- ESBI ments of ISO9001:2008 (Quality The project will provide ESB En- tion of the new solution for ESBI. es are being rolled out including a Management Systems). The del- ergy International with streamlined New processes and changes to series of recent breakfast briefings The intensive International egates tested their newly acquired and robust financial & HR systems existing financials andHR process- supported by ESBEI Senior Man- Register of Certificated Auditors skills by conducting internal qual- integrated with the rest of the ESB es have been developed in tandem agement. (IRCA) internal quality auditor ity audits in the latter part of the Group. The benefits of the project with the delivery of the project. Following the ‘Go Live’ date, the training course was completed on course. Thanks to all involved in for ESB, ESB Energy International Two new teams in Finance have project team will remain in place 14th – 15th September 2010. The the preparation of the course and and ESBI staff will be felt for years been formed: a Purchasing Bureau to ensure a smooth transition to course focussed on the require- to those who were audited. to come. to look after the new Purchase-to- the new system. n www.esb.ie/em Dec 2010 /Jan 2011 ENERGY INTERNATIONAL 23 Long Service Awards ET&R’s scores top marks in 8 ESBI staff have celebrated many years of long service awards Business Continuity Test

cation and tasks were assigned for the following day. Staff reported to their assigned location or to Head Office the next morning. Transport was provided to both hotsite locations, with 12 staff working in Leopardstown Road and 15 staff working in Swords at HP’s offices. ITS and Shared Services supported ET&R in the use of the facility along with Cork Staff: Mike Fitzgerald 20 Years: John McSweeney the HP team based there. (centre) presenting Brendan (Manager ESBIi) pictured with Jim ESB Business Continuity repre- Hallissey and Fergus Malone Fitzpatrick who received an award ET&R staff during the Business Continuity Test. Back row (l-r): Deirdre Heffernan, with their five years Long Service for his 20 years of service. Missing Conor Purcell, Catherine Ward, Donal Lehane, Eileen Downey, Mick Roche, Jenny sentatives acted as observers over Awards in Cork on Friday 15th from photo who also received McGovern, Ciarán Doran, Peter Morgan and Michael Craven. Front row (l-r): Ollie the two days and a review of the October. awards were Lesley Murphy and Perrill, Paula Carey, Ronan McCoy, Paula Leonard, Anthony Kelly and Johnny O’ Rourke. exercise will help identify updates Brid Byrne. to the current BCP Plan. ET&R in Leopardstown and ESB’s main ET&R management thank all hotsite in Swords. staff both in ET&R and the wider The 8th and 9th November The test commenced at 14:30 ESB for their contribution to the saw Energy Trading and Regula- when Head Office security staff exercise. tion (ET&R) successfully execute initiated an evacuation to Merrion On completion of the test, Mick a short-notice Business Continuity Square. This was followed by an Roche, Manager, ET&R concluded: Plan test. The exercise practised initial management meeting in “This exercise was hugely impor- the invocation procedure in the Stephen Court where tasks were tant in building our confidence that event of loss of premises and tested prioritised and assigned. The end we can continue to operate our ET&R’s ability to operate from a of the exercise saw all staff meet in business in the event of this type of combination of its dedicated hotsite Stephen Court where their work lo- emergency.” n

Five Years: John McSweeney (seated centre) pictured with Moneypoint recipients of their five years Long Service Award. Bicycle Initiative ESBI

To better promote alternative forms of transport at Moneypoint, ten bicycles have been rolled out across the site and, since Sustaina- bility Week, close to 100 staff have signed up to the scheme. Because of the Moneypoint site’s large size, the bicycles are an ideal method At the launch of the Moneypoint Station Bike Initiative (l-r): Damon Murphy, John Hehir, Paddy Flanagan, Michael Hogan, Thomas Flaherty, Declan Kelly and Michael Clair. of transport and they have proved very popular with staff. n 10 Years: Recipients of 10 years Long Service Award pictured with ESBI Investments Manager John McSweeney (seated centre) with Judith Doherty and Clare Duffy. (Standing l-r) Philip Jordan, Edele Hudson, John Hickey, Claire Dagger, Ciaran Byrne, Clodagh Moran, Martin Bashford and Andrew Dunne. Moneypoint brings Renewable Transport to Co. Clare Schools to the schools and also gave a talk National School, Bodyke National ESBI on energy usage, conservation and School, Holy Family Junior School sustainability. and Bansha National School. n As part of Moneypoint’s sustain- Moneypoint now has five very ability drive, local school children colourful Citroen Berlingo vans on were invited to enter a competition site bearing a collage of the logos to design a logo which could be in- designed by the children. The Sus- corporated into the side panels of tainability Committee brought each the station’s bio-diesel vans. van back to the relevant schools to Following an excellent response show the children the fruits of their from schools across Co. Clare, five labours. 35 Years: Pictured with their wives and partners at a reception to honour their winners were selected, each re- The Committee would like to service to ESB are: Back row (l-r): Damien O’Keeffe (40 years), Mick Sherlock ceiving a Wattson energy meter, thank all the schools who took part, (35 years), Mick O’Brien (40 years), Jimmy King (40 years), Brian Mimnagh (40 with first and second places also in particular the children who put years), Brian Carson (35 years), John Higgins (35 years) and Pat O’Doherty, awarded a food waste composter. so much effort into their designs. Moneypoint staff Paddy Flanagan, Executive Director ESBEI, who made the presentations on the night. Rory Damon Murphy, Paul O’Shea and John Cronin also received an award for 25 years of service. Members of the Sustainability The winning schools were Kil- McDermot with three of the bio-diesel Committee presented these prizes maley National School, Clarecastle vans. 24 ENERGY INTERNATIONAL Dec 2010 /Jan 2011 www.esb.ie/em Life and times of a mechanical engineer 8 John Quinn, Mechanical Engineer, ESBI Engineering, tells us about his experience working with Generation Operations on the Moneypoint Environmental Retro-fit Project (MERP) and the Aghada CCGT Project. team was required to achieve the overall objectives. Tina Pittock, Project Engineer, ESBI O&M Solutions presenting a paper at Power-Gen Asia. Aghada CCGT Project I joined this project in July 2008, as the mechanical aspect of the con- ESBI experts delivering struction was commencing. This project involved ESBI taking on the on a world stage role of Owner’s Representative for from the Power Systems Studies the delivery of state-of-the-art com- ESBI team in HV, ESBI Engineering both bined-cycle gas turbine technology presented papers at GCC Power plant at Aghada Generating Plant. The last few months have seen 2010 which took place in Novem- Similar to MERP, the project team a huge demand for ESBI to deliver ber. The papers generated a very was a multi-disciplinary group from papers to international energy in- high level of interest with many across ESBI and Generation Opera- dustry conferences. These occa- requests from delegates for further tions. The integration of staff proved sions present ESBI with an oppor- information about ESBI. The pa- hugely beneficial and promoted syn- tunity to speak directly to leading pers were ‘A Planning Approach John Quinn makes a final check on gas system prior to gas being supplied to the ergy between all stakeholders. experts in the field of power gener- for Urban Distribution Networks Aghada site for the first time. In addition to my mechanical ation and distribution, and in turn in Bahrain’ by Orla Burke, Stephen (SAP). This involved working with role, I also took the role of Project positions ESBI as a world leader in Hunt and William Phang; and ‘The ESBI the ESB Moneypoint Shift Manag- Environmental Representative, power plant engineering and con- Effect of Delayed Zero Crossings ers and Operations team to develop which meant I was responsible for sultancy. Some recent conferences Following a Short Circuit on System Moneypoint Environmental solutions that allowed construction ensuring that all activities on site at which ESBI presented include: Stability’ by James Gallagher, Neil Retro-fit Project (MERP) activities, inspections, testing etc. complied with the existing IPPC li- McDonagh and William Phang. I began working with the Mon- to proceed safely whilst maintain- cense for the overall Aghada Gen- Power-Gen Asia, Singapore eypoint Environmental Retro-fit ing the commitment to minimise erating Station site. This required Tina Pittock, Project Engineer, Experts Conference, Berlin Project (MERP) team in September the disruption to the generation regular communication with the ESBI O&M Solutions presented a Donnchadh Irish presented a paper 2004. The principle objective of plant. This involved complex plant plant Environmental Co-ordinator paper at the Power-Gen Asia Con- on the Moneypoint Environmental the project was to retrofit the sta- configurations and isolations to en- and the local EPA Inspector. ference on 2 November 2010. The Retrofit Project (MERP) at the fifth tion in order for it to comply with sure safe working conditions while The Aghada project was taken paper, entitled ‘Delivery of Effec- annual Experts Conference on 27 the Large Combustion Plant Direc- the generating plant continued to over by the client in April 2010. tive Overhauls at ESB Internation- September 2010. Entitled ‘Exploring tive 2001/80/EC which controls operate. A team from Alstom, ESBI and al Operated CCGT Power Plants to the Retrofit of SCR and FGD Tech- the emissions of oxides of nitrogen While I worked mainly on the Aghada Generating Station re- meet the Challenges of Liberalised nology at Moneypoint Coal-Fired (NOx), sulphur dioxide (SOx) and abatement technology and in the main on site closing out remaining Energy Markets’, was co-authored Station to Meet the Electricity Sup- particulate matter from large ther- management and co-ordination of open items. I finished work on the by Tina Pittock and Dave Shep- ply Board (ESB) Emissions Reduc- mal power plants. works, during each of the genera- Aghada project at the end of June herd, Plant Manager, Dublin Bay tion Strategy in Ireland’, the paper One of the most demanding, yet tion unit outages a concerted team- and have now returned to Stephen Power Plant. The paper examines explored how ESB delivered the ret- rewarding, aspects of the project effort from multi-disciplined ESBI Court to join the Project Manage- how effective overhaul manage- rofit of SCR and FGD technology to was as Station Appointed Person and Generation Operations project ment Office team. n ment delivers value to the owners the existing Moneypoint 3x305MWe of generating plants operating in coal-fired station in Clare. n diverse commercial environments. For further information on recent white GCC Power Conference, Qatar papers authored by ESBI, please visit: http:// Renewable Energy Pilots Orla Burke and James Gallagher www.esbi.ie/news/white-papers.asp

ESBI Training School in Portlaoise, the Carnamuggah Lower Depot in Let- Contractors at Rousch celebrate As part of the Renewable En- terkenny and Erne Station at Ca- three years without Lost Time Injury ergy Pilot at 10 locations through- thaleen’s Fall, Ballyshannon – and out the country, data is now be- a 4kW photovoltaic array has been ESBI Officer all spoke about the safety coming available on the wind and installed on the on the roof of the culture at Rousch and congratu- photovoltaic installations which is Portlaoise Training School . On 28 October 2010, contractors lated the contractors on their collected using the Energytracked The Proven 6kW wind turbines at Rousch Power Plant in Paki- safety record. n monitoring system. in Portlaoise and Erne are installed stan achieved three years without Wind turbines have been in- on 15m towers, while the Iskra any lost time injury. A celebration stalled by ESB Energy Interna- 5kW turbine at Letterkenny is on a lunch was held to mark the occa- tional at three locations – the 12m tower. n sion and plaques were presented to each of the contracting com- panies. Muhammad Tahir, ESBI Readings (in kW hours) for the three months of August, September and Safety & Performance Engineer, October 2010 were as follows: Razzaq Anjum, ESBI Operations Manager, Paul Greenwood, ESBI Location August September October Total Maintenance Manager and Mu- Ramzan of Erection Engineers & Portlaoise Wind 149 195 261 605 bashar Majeed, Rousch (Pakistan) Contractors (EEC) receiving the Letterkenny Wind 210 317 225 752 Plant Ltd, Chief Technical plaque from Akhtar Malik, ESBI Finance and HR Manager. 8kw Proven wind turbine at Cathaleen’s Erne Wind 566 608 690 1864 Fall station on the Erne. Portlaoise Photovoltaic 195 167 157 519 www.esb.ie/em Dec 2010 /Jan 2011 ENERGY INTERNATIONAL 25 Strategy and Portfolio Retirement of Philip Clarke Development Team another 800MW gas-fired station, which has received planning ap- commences Clean Coal proval in record time. It was Philip’s dedication and and CCS Project hard work during this latter period of his career which earned him the honour of being the first Irish- man to receive the Euskal Makila, a prestigious award presented an- nually by the Basque Industry and Society Foundation in recognition of a foreign business person’s eco- nomic and social contribution to the Basque Country. Philip made many friends in ESB over the years and a large number of current and former colleagues John McSweeney, Manager of ESBI Investments, making a presentation to Philip and along with family and friends his wife Teresa. gathered in the Davenport Hotel the next decade. During this time, to wish him well in his retirement. ESBI Philip drove the company’s Iberian The party marked not only Philip’s Philip Clarke of ESB Internation- strategy and, in 2005 he delivered departure from ESB, but also the al has retired after 30 years of service. the Bizkaia Energia 750MW gas- celebration of his 60th birthday, Philip worked in many of ESB’s fired plant at Amorebieta, which and John McSweeney, Manager of businesses over the years, includ- was the first Independent Power ESBI Investments, made a presen- ing Moneypoint Station in the Project (IPP) in the Spanish whole- tation to Philip marking both of 1980s and ESB International and sale power market. Philip’s deliv- these major milestones. Transpower in the 1990s. Later ery of Bizkaia Energia paved the We wish Philip, his wife Teresa, in 2000, he became ESBI’s Busi- way for further projects including and all his family the very best for ness Development Manager for the two 50MW wind farms that are the future. n Iberian market, a role he held for currently under development and

Pictured at AEP Mountaineer’s control valve, where C02 is injected underground, are Market & Technology Developments Manager Gerry White and Clean Coal and CCS ESBI showcases its Bahrain over Manager Bernardine Maloney. What is CCS? environmental expertise 35 years – can ESBI CCS is a process of capturing and you help? concentrating the CO2 from the One of the main projects cur- combustion process, transporting it ESBI rently being undertaken by the in dense phase (liquid) form by pipe- Strategy and Portfolio Develop- line or ship and then injecting it into ment team is that of Clean Coal and an underground storage site (geo- In 2011, ESB International will Carbon Capture and Sequestration logical formation), where it will be mark 35 years of operation in Bah- (CCS), with a remit of developing safely stored, or in other words se- rain. This is a significant milestone the capability within ESB in this questered, for the long-term, typical- and one we can be very proud emerging technology together with ly in a depleted oil/gas field or saline of. Relations over those 35 years an economic assessment of build- aquifer. CO2, therefore, remains in have been strong and many ESBI ing a Clean Coal Plant. liquid form in these deep geologi- and ESB staff have made long and Worldwide, CCS is set to help cal formations and becomes lodged lasting friendships with colleagues meet at least 20% of the overall in tiny pores in the rock formation there. target set by the Intergovern- deep below the earth’s surface. ESBI would like to gather as mental Panel on Climate Change Currently, ESB is involved with Participants at the International Workshop on Ocean Energy hosted by the Marine much information and detail as (IPCC) to reduce CO2 emissions Electric Power Research Institute Institute on behalf of the US Department of Energy. possible which may have been col- by 50% by 2050. “Such CO2 emis- (EPRI) in a post-combustion CCS lected over those three and a half sion targets require the electricity pilot plant at AEP Mountaineer, ESBI cal experts from around the world decades. sector to be largely decarbonised. West Virginia, with the aim of learn- to provide input on environmental If any staff, current or retired, This process will take time and if ing about the process and technical Dr. Paddy Kava nagh, En- effects of marine and hydrokinetic have photographs, video footage, fossil fuels are to remain a source challenges posed. The 1,300MW vironmental Group, ESBI Engi- (MHK) energy generation, the state of newspaper or magazine features of generation, this means deploy- coal plant takes just 1.5% of the neering, participated in the expert Knowledge Management System Da- or any other documentation ESBI ing CCS sooner rather than later,” flue gas stream through a chilled workshop on Ocean Energy hosted tabases (KMS); environmental effects would be delighted to record it. commented Bernardine Maloney, ammonia plant, separates the CO2, by the Marine Institute on behalf of of MHK devices; case study projects, You may wish to donate it on a Manager of the CCS Project. “For and then injects it into two saline the US Department of Energy. data collection and assessed strategies permanent basis or just give it on example, all new thermal plant aquifers through wells drilled on Paddy, who is currently preparing in relation to environmental impacts. loan so it can be copied. over 300MW in the EU is now the power plant site. the Environmental Impact State- As part of the workshop a spread- required to be Carbon Capture ESB’s collaboration with EPRI ment (EIS) for Ireland’s Atlantic sheet of marine energy converter Please contact Avril Colfer at Tel. 01 703 Ready, so it’s very feasible that on the AEP Mountaineer CCS Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS), types and likely environmental im- 8379 Email: [email protected] by January full CCS could be required on new Validation Facility, together with actively participated in the work- pacts and mitigation was reviewed. 31st. Combined Cycle Gas Turbines a number of other research activi- shop’s breakout sessions providing The level and extent of environ- (CCGT) as early as 2020. This is ties being undertaken by Bernar- a perspective on Ireland’s experi- mental information required by the not only affecting our timelines dine and her team, is the start of ence on ocean energy development environmental authorities in differ- but is also affecting our scope be- a process of positioning ESB to be and how environmental issues are ent jurisdictions necessary to obtain cause we’re already seeing that at the forefront of CCS technology being addressed in Ireland. project consenting was also discussed CCS is not just an issue for coal- development – a technology that is The expert workshop brought to- together with the availability of base- fired generation, but is an issue for becoming vital in the global efforts gether over 40 scientific and techni- line marine information. n gas-fired generation too.” to combat climate change. n 26 ENERGY INTERNATIONAL Dec 2010/Jan 2011 www.esb.ie/em

Left: Myles Meagher, Production Team Leader and the longest serving current member of Poolbeg staff, tells of the roles played by management and staff during the lifetime of Poolbeg Thermal Station.

Below: Philip Donnelly and Danny Reilly perusing the photo gallery wall, compiled by ESB Archives, and share a laugh at times gone past.

Photograph of John Graham, former SPS in Poolbeg, looking at the photographic display.

Pat O’Doherty, Executive Director, ESB Energy International, speaks of the role Poolbeg closure played by Poolbeg Thermal Station. 8The end of an era

Chief Executive noted that Pool- acknowledged the importance staff who worked in Poolbeg. genERATION operations beg Thermal Station was iconic of Poolbeg, the fantastic service Many of the staff had worked both in ESB terms as well as in and performance for which he at the plant since it was com- After nearly 40 years in op- the national psyche and the im- credited the staff over the years. missioned. We thank all of the eration Poolbeg Thermal Power portance of the part played by Pat said that Poolbeg has given staff, past and present, for their Debbie Nolan, Angela Kilroy, Canteen Station generated its last mega- Poolbeg at the centre of ESB for invaluable service to ESB and its dedicated service. To those who Staff and friends. watt earlier this year. so many years and acknowledged customers. He commented that have now availed of retirement The closure marked the final the major contribution of all the Units 1 & 2 were the best ma- or taken up new positions in about the future of the old sta- stage of the agreement with the staff who had worked there. chines that ESB ever installed other parts of the company we tion or the chimney stacks at CER to create more competition Current staff and their part- but added that machines can send our good wishes. this time. ESB is committed to in the electricity generation mar- ners attended a dinner to mark only do so much on their own No decision has been made consulting with Dublin City ket whereby ESB agreed to divest the event which included a pho- but ESB is particularly proud of Council prior to any decision in and close 1300MW’s of power tographic display collated by ESB the skills, commitment and ex- relation to the chimneys. The generation plant. Archives. Guests of honour includ- perience of the people who site at Poolbeg continues to be The thermal plant’s last day ed Senior ESB Management and worked in Poolbeg. used with the modern CCGT in operation was marked with a Senior Officials from the Group It was fitting that the Station in operation. n gathering of staff past and present of Unions. Pat O’Doherty, Execu- events to mark the in the Station Canteen and a visit tive Director, Energy Internation- closure centred on from the Chief Executive, Pad- al, in his speech at the event also the contribution of raig McManus. In his address the

Left: Philip Wafer and partner celebrating the event.

Francie Murphy and his wife relax at the event. Noel Fortune and Ken Patterson (former Clinical Team) with their pateners at the celebration.

Michael Smith and his wife enjoying the evening. www.esb.ie/em Dec 2010/Jan 2011 ENERGY INTERNATIONAL 27

Moneypoint station Sustainability Update surpasses safety targets to win merit award

good catches got resolved immedi- ately by the individual reporting the good catch/near miss. If a good Executive Director Energy International, Pat O’Doherty, with participants at the catch couldn’t be resolved immedi- workshop. ately, the corrective action required was entered into the maintenance management system to be com- pleted by the relevant maintenance section. Senior The station also installed wide- screen TVs in the station canteen, workshops, control room and bulk management materials area as another means to communicate safety and other busi- ness-related issues. Safety presen- tations were prepared and are on Sustainability display on these TVs and have been well received. These presentations have now been made available to other ESBEI locations. workshop most recent forum had a workshop During the recent Unit 1 Over- geNERATION operations on a lost time incident involving ash haul rescue exercises were carried velop a change plan for the recently spillage that occurred in the station out on a number of plant areas. All geNERATION operations formed Energy International busi- At the recent ESBEI Generation in June. of the areas chosen presented sig- ness unit. All other business units in By Fergus Keane, Sustainability, Operations Safety Conference, A particularly effective agenda nificant challenges for a rescue as Energy International ESB will be holding similar work- Moneypoint Station won a merit item at these forums has been a all would be defined as ‘‘confined shops to develop change plans for award. presentation from the station chem- spaces’’ under our safety rules. Senior managers from Energy each business unit of ESB. Achieving this award would not ist on the hazards and required PPE Commenting after the exercises, International, led by Executive Di- ESB Energy International Ex- have been possible without the sup- associated with the some of the John Casey, Nominated Safety En- rector Pat O’Doherty, gathered in ecutive Director, Pat O’Doherty, port of everyone in Moneypoint new materials on site and used in gineer, said that ‘useful lessons had Dublin in September to develop a opened the workshop and under- and their ongoing commitment to the new environmental emissions been learned, and while these exer- Sustainability Change Plan for En- lined the importance of sustain- improving safety in the station. abatement plant. Commenting on cises are necessary, the focus needs ergy International. ability in the new business unit. This commitment is very evident the safety forums, Moneypoint Sta- to remain on injury prevention’. In Energy International has benefit- The workshop was facilitated by from the high level of safety audit- tion Manager Glenn Pope said he addition to these exercises, there ed from enthusiastic sustainability Derek Fuller and assisted by the ing and the reporting of good catch- was impressed with the quality of were weekly contractor safety spe- champions who have developed sustainability team. The work- es / near misses. Moneypoint has the presentations and the interac- cific meetings where representa- Sustainability Improvement Plans shop developed a number of dif- achieved, and surpassed, ambitious tion and suggestions from staff. “I tives from all contractor groupings for their areas, including offices and ferent strands: actions relating targets set at the start of the year in am delighted to say that over 150 had a chance to share issues of power stations across Ireland and to management responsibility, these areas. people, staff and contractors, have concern with others. These meet- abroad, over the last two years. personal responsibility, process The feature outlines some of the attended these forums. There is no ings proved very effective in high- We are approaching the mid- change actions required and ac- safety initiatives taken in Mon- shortage of material to cover and, lighting safety issues. In all, there term point between the launch of tions to support the sustainability eypoint during 2010, which have every time we run another forum, were in excess of 700 staff work- the ESB Sustainability Strategy and brand of ESB. The outcomes of made the station a safer place and we collectively learn something ing directly on this outage, includ- 2012, which is our first major mile- the workshop were subsequently moved us closer to our ambition of new. I genuinely see the safety ing 80 temporary staff and around stone. We have decided to review presented to the GMT of Energy having an injury free environment. forum as a positive initiative and 500 contractors. Approximately the progress we have made and de- International in October. n Five safety forums where held a great mechanism to involve the 145,000 hours were worked during during 2010. The idea behind the wider staff grouping in discussions the five-week period of the over- forums is to give staff an opportu- on their personal safety and that of haul, which was completed with no nity to take time out to discuss is- the colleagues. We will continue to lost time injuries. sues relating to site safety. A forum run these events in 2011.” The year 2010 was a good year is typically a three-hour session Aside from the safety forums, for safety in Moneypoint - well with a mix of presentations, video all in Moneypoint have been very done to all. n clips and workshops designed to focused on meeting and beating stimulate discussion and to chal- our key performance indicators lenge participants. Items on the for safety. At time of writing, 309 agenda have included a review of safety audits had been completed all 2009/2010 accidents, incidents in Moneypoint. The target for the and near misses from Moneypoint entire year was 300. There were and also significant accidents and 130 audits completed during the incidents from across ESBEI. Unit 1 overhaul, against a target The first of these forums cap- of 100. The audits were carried tured inputs for the Moneypoint out by a wide cross-section of staff Safety Improvement Plan for 2010. from within Moneypoint and many Some of the forums immediately involved contractors. There were preceding the Unit 1 Overhaul fo- 253 ‘good catches’ reported. Of cused on making the overhaul an these, 102 were reported during Round table discussions at the workshop. injury free work environment. The the Unit 1 overhaul. A lot of these 28 ENERGY INTERNATIONAL Dec 2010/Jan 2011 www.esb.ie/em

Appreciation Safety and Sustainability high on the agenda at Dave McDonagh It was with deep regret and sadness Lough Ree Power that we learned of the sudden passing of our colleague and friend, David Mc- Donagh. David who lived in Clonfert, Co. Galway was Members for the 2009 Aghada Station, Overhaul and New Build Teams receiving the an integral part of the Operations overall excellence award from Nicholas Tarrant, Manager Generation Operations. Pictured (l-r): Brian Armstrong, Nicholas Tarrant, Paul Smith, Brian Dolan, Pat Curtin, and Maintenance Team in West Michael O Connell, Pat Wall, Denis O Sullivan, Pat O Brien, Pat Fogarty, Kieran O Shea Offaly Power Station, Shannon- (seated), Kevin O Donoghue and Ronan O Gadhra. bridge. David began his career in the old station in Shannonbridge in 1986. Generation Operations Sustainability Executive Director John It was not long before David’s abil- Campion pictured during his visit to Safety Conference ity shone through where he spent Lough Ree Power plant with John Noonan John Campion with LRP staff on a visit to several years as an operator on and Seamus Finn. the Control Room at the plant. focus of the conference was safety GENERATION OPERATIONS shift before moving to the new peat improvements in 2011. plant of West Offaly Power, achiev- Sustainability Executive station opened. In terms of sustain- Presentation of the Safety Excel- ing distinctions with the Dublin Director John Campion recently ability initiatives, Lough Ree Power The theme for this year’s annual lence Awards also took place during Institute of Technology in plant op- visited Lough Ree Power to conduct was an early starter with progress Generation Operations’ Safety Con- the conference with merit awards erations and plant management. both a Safety Review and a Sustain- made in terms of process efficiency, ference on Thursday and Friday Oc- for safety management in 2009 go- David’s ability to share his knowl- ability Review. LRP has been nota- water conservation, lighting effi- tober 6th and 7th was Continuing ing to Aghada, Moneypoint, North edge built great relationships with bly active and committed in both ciency and workplace travel plan- Safety Improvement. The confer- Wall and West Offaly, The Tidy Lo- all his colleagues. David was also areas which was again evident on ning to name but a few. Safety and ence was comprised of presentations cations 2010 Merit Award was won a very accomplished farmer who the day. Top-quality housekeep- sustainability are mutually support- and discussions on process safety in- by Lough Ree. The overall award held a very special love for land. ing, risk assessment and contractor ing concepts that can be seen at the itiatives, risk assessment, new safety went to Aghada in recognition of Another of David’s many talents management are strong aspects of station. Full credit must go to all the rules and local safety initiatives in the high level of cooperation on was wood carving and two of his safety that have contributed to an staff for their continued efforts in the areas of contractor safety man- safety shown by the station, over- pieces can be viewed in Clonfert impressive safety record since the that regard. n agement and team safety. A central haul and new build teams. n church. The tributes to David at his funeral Mass by his family and friends were a tribute truly befit- ting for a man larger than life who bore his cross of illness and pain Erne Stations retirements amazingly. Two stalwarts Having a conversation with David of Hydro Generation, it was always obvious that his wife Ger Monaghan and and children were a source of huge Paul McDermott ,re- pride to him. David’s companionship cently retired from and friendship enhanced all our loves Erne Stations in Don- greatly and will be sadly missed. egal. Between them We extend our deepest sympa- they have 80 service! thies to David’s wife Sadie, children Tributes were paid to Sharon, Sarah, Donna, David and both men to mark the Roisin, parents Manty and Marga- occasion as colleagues ret, brothers Patrick and Roy, and and friends wished David’s extended family, relatives them health and hap- and friends. Erne Plant Manager Aodhan McAleer making a presentation to Gerard piness in their retire- Aodhan Mc Aleer making a presentation to Plant Controller, Paul McDermott on the occasion of his retirement after 43 years A r D h e i s D e g o r a i b h a a n a m Monaghan (Plant Controller) on the occasion of his retirement after 37 ment. n years service. service. uasal. n

tion Operations. oversaw the upgrade and automation Liam Buckley retires This was followed by a most en- of the stations. He also completed a Liam’s retirement a presentation was joyable evening for the large crowd Maintenance Management Diploma made at Inniscarra Generating Station. who gathered in Blarney Castle Ho- in IMI. He was appointed Production On this auspicious occasion Liam tel. Liam’s great love of music was Supervisor in 1996. was joined by his wife Carmel and evident on the night when he enter- He progressed to Plant Manager in family. Also in attendance was Ni- tained everyone with his guitar and 2001 and had a wide variety of com- cholas Tarrant, Manager Generation mandolin skills. plex roles to perform, most notably Operations, Senan Colleran Hydro Liam Buckley initially joined the the Remote Control HCC Project. Manager, Pat Naughton Manager staff in Iniscarra as an apprentice During his time of Plant Manager Liam pictured at the Strategy and Portfolio development electrician on 18th Sept 1967 and Liam completed his UCC Health & event with his family. and Glenn Pope, Station Manager during his 3rd year apprenticeship Safety certificate. Moneypoint, current and retired in Inniscarra he worked in various While in ESB Liam made many as a passionate musician, hopes to staff including former station man- locations including Patrick St. Head- close friends and will be remem- dedicate more time to playing in his agers Jack O’Keeffe and Bob Cullen quarters and Contracts Albert Road. bered for his commitment, integrity band. and former work colleagues from all Following his apprenticeship he was and wealth of knowledge. He was Liam will be missed by his many Hydro manager, Senan Colleran, making parts of ESB. appointed to a permanent position renowned for his expertise and tech- friend and colleagues both in Lee sta- the presentation to Liam. Senan made a presentation to Liam as an Electrician and in 1983 he was nical ability and was always the first tions and throughout the Company. Liam Buckley retired as Plant and thanked him for the tremendous appointed Relief Shift Supervisor. In to lend a hand to those around him We wish Liam, Carmel and family Manager from Lee Stations after 43 contribution he has made to ESB in 1994 Liam was appointed Station with support and advice. all the best for the future and many years of dedicated service. To mark general and in particular to Genera- Supervisor, during which time he Liam’s love of music is evident and years of health and happiness. n Safety, Health & Wellbeing Dec 2010/Jan 2011 www.esb.ie/em Give your 29 health a kick start for 2011 Health&Habitat Health & Habitat, page 33 Feeling low? Need support?

An information card for any- some are also outside the county. body in Mayo who may be looking These services vary from ‘Accident Lorna Brady, General Manager SPORTSCO, receiving the award. for contact details of services that and Emergency Services’ to ‘Men- can provide them with personal sup- tal Health and Counselling’ services. port at difficult times in their lives Some of the services are available on has been launched by the Family a 24 hour basis while others are avail- SPORTSCO awards Centre in Castlebar able by appointment. This pocket “We often find that in a crisis or at sized card is being widely distributed success sive quality award and measure- a particularly difficult time many in the county. Individuals or organi- 2010 has been extremely busy ment of standards for gyms, swim- people do not know the range of zations can also receive a number of for SPORTSCO staff working to- ming pools, spas and indoor leisure services that are available or how cards, free of charge, by contacting wards a number of Quality Awards facilities in Ireland. The standard they might go about getting access the Family Centre. The Initiative is to ensure they retain their place as ensures all facilities are compatible tive stage and these achievements, to these services. We hope this card being provided with funding from one of the leading leisure facilities with best Industry practice includ- accompanied by a fantastic facility will help in these situations,” said the ESB ElectricAid organization. in the country. The economic down- ing properly qualified staff and high- distinguish SPORTSCO as a market Máire Ní Dhomhnaill, Counsellor The card has already been distrib- turn has changed people’s perspec- est hygiene and safety standards. leader in excellence. We look for- with the Family Centre. uted through the HSE and services tive on value for money and this Measurement Criteria include cat- ward to 2011 and continuing to of- The contact card draws together such as the Gardaí. n has ensured people use their club egories under management, facility/ fer the very best in Leisure facilities contact telephone numbers for a membership as much as possible to site and activity areas. SPORTSCO at competitive prices to all ESB staff range of different services many Anybody wanting to order cards can contact obtain greater value for money. De- were proud to achieve an outstand- and their families. of which are local to Co. Mayo but the Family Centre, Chapel St., Castlebar at spite higher member usage, SPORT- ing overall score of 94% with zero I would like to take this opportu- 094 90 25900. SCO has succeeded in maintaining non-conformances. nity to sincerely thank all ESB staff a high level of customer satisfaction. In addition to the White Flag members and guests for their custom These levels are monitored through Award, SPORTSCO was also the to date. I look forward to personally a number of performance indicators proud recipient a specialist ‘Silver greeting you all to SPORTSCO and High profile visitors including regular member feedback Award for Disability Provision’ and we would be delighted to organise surveys on customer service and one of only 16 facilities in the coun- tours of the facility to staff from all satisfaction. try. This enables SPORTSCO to ESB locations. Please contact Ad- to SPORTSCO The Leisure Industry has been offer facilities to all sections of the ministration for an appointment. badly affected by the recent eco- community. A special thanks must As part of SPORTSCO’s com- nomic downturn and Leisure Cen- be given to Ciaran Gogarty, ESB mitment to the Health & Wellbeing tres all over the Country are strug- Access officer, for his help and sup- of all ESB Staff and as a gesture of gling to maintain their membership port in gaining this achievement. thanks to all SPORTSCO staff mem- base in order to survive. SPORT- SPORTSCO has also succeeded bers, we will not be increasing our SCO is no exception and we believe in achieving the Q-Mark in Quality membership prices in January 2011 in differentiating ourselves through Management systems for the sev- and ESB Staff and their immediate excellent customer service, value enth time. The high result achieved families can avail of membership to for money and state of the art fa- resulted in SPORTSCO being short SPORTSCO for as little as €10 per cilities. ‘High Quality standards are listed as a National Finalist at the month. n imperative in consistently deliver- National Awards in September. ing customer satisfaction and these Special thanks to Noel Clarke and Please contact SPORTSCO at 6687022 or standards and our ability to address Seamus Mc Laughlin, ESBI for all [email protected] or www.sportsco.ie the current climate has attributed their help. to our success to date’ says Lorna ‘All of these achievements could Brady, General Manager. not have been possible ILAM, The Industry body for without the dedication Sports, Fitness, Aquatic Facilities, and commitment of all Outdoor and Spas & Wellness have staff’ says SPORTSCO The All Blacks Team (above) recently awarded SPORTSCO the General Manager, Lorna and the Samoa Team (left) prestigious ‘White Flag’ accredita- Brady. These Awards availed of the excellent tion. SPORTSCO were also hon- come at a time when the training facilities in the SPORTSCO complex before oured to receive a ‘10 year recipient Irish Leisure Industry their recent matches against Award’. The ‘White Flag’ is a qual- is at a highly competi- Ireland. ity award for leisure centres similar to the ‘Blue Flag’ for beaches. The White Flag is the only comprehen- 30 health&habitat Dec 2010/Jan 2011 www.esb.ie/em ESB Hillwalkers reach SPORTSCO World Cup new heights

The ESB Hillwalking Club, ESB can, from time to time, be held in Note: The Club usually travels Hillwalkers, recently went on other parts of Ireland. Membership abroad once a year for a week- a one-week walking trip to the is open to all current and retired long walking holiday. Organised French Alps. The club is in exist- ESB staff and their families. Club by ‘France Outdoors’ (Vincent ence since 1992 and currently has members are covered by insurance Lamy and Florance Budin, both about 70 members from various while out walking. natives of Provence who, have locations within ESB. The club is Prospective new members lived for eight years in Ireland and run by a six-person committee that should contact the club secretary, who arenot only fluent English is elected at an AGM each year. Michael Murray, at 087798 0228 but know the pace of our group!) Walks are organised once a month or the club treasurer, Jim Stanley, For more information on Walk- Images left to right: Networks Mullingar on Sundays and are usually in the at 087929 0623, who will supply ing, Skiing and Snowshoeing visit (Cameroon) take on Dave Keogh’s ESBI (Vatican. Dublin/Wicklow mountains but detailed information. www.franceoutdoors.com Alex Cowman, ICT (North Korea), on the ground. City). Roisín Kennedy ITS (Sweden) in action against ESBI (Jamaica). Below: Michael Murray, Maureen Smith, Inset: Vincent Power, ESBI (Vatican City). Rose Doyle, Robert Ryan, Ann Mitchell and Peter Skinner conquer the Alps. On a sunny Saturday in October, home the Golden Boot. the event with the highest ESB staff Metro Golf hosted a nearest the participation took place in SPORT- pin competition, with proceeds do- SCO! It was the five-a-side World nated to ElectricAid. Cup. One venue, three competi- Michael Loughnane, Group HR, tions, 33 teams, 280 competitors, presented the prizes and comment- and nine hours of quality football! ed that it was great to see so many First order of the day was the ESB staff participating directly in men’s group competition, packed sport. n with talent, with eight teams out of 25 going through to the next round SPORTSCO welcomes feedback from players in some very closely fought games. regarding the competition – please send With the group stages decided, the your comments to [email protected] Above: Robert Ryan, Peter Skinner, Michael Murray and Gus Hanlon on their trip in the French Alps in September last. On this particular trip walkers managed to scale Ladies and Over 40s competitions or [email protected]. n to almost 9,000 feet, without oxygen. got under way. The Ladies final was an ESBI affair, Chile vs. Can- ada, with the captain of the win- ning team, Catherine O’Brien, also receiving the Golden Boot Award. The Over 40s final was a tense Share the SPORTSCO experience! match, with Pat Joyce’s ICT team Members – bring a friend to the Pool and Leisure Suite for (Italy) defeating Customer Supply, FREE every weekend in December! headed by Joe O’Connor (Tibet). Brian McMahon was awarded the Terms & Conditions: Members without prepaid option giving access to pool & Golden Boot. leisure must pay relevant admission fee. The men’s competition concluded Friend must be a non-member, one friend per visit. with a fantastic men’s final that saw Leisure suite available 9am - 10pm, swim times available per pool timetable. Dave Keogh’s ESBI team (Vatican City) taking the cup for the second time in three years, triumphing over Winning captain Dave Keogh of ESBI ICT, skippered by Alex Cowman (Vatican City) in the match against Members’ Appreciation Day (North Korea). James Finn took Networks Mullingar (Cameroon). Tuesday December 14th SPORTSCO would like to wish all our SPORTSCO wishes all our members a happy and healthy Christmas members a very Merry Christmas and a joyful New Year! and a Happy New Year 2011! • Free raffle for a luxury hamper • Complimentary mince pies and tea/coffee No price increase for 2011 • Free challenges in the gym & swimming pool SPORTSCO Holiday Opening Hours Friday December 24th Closed Saturday December 25th Closed SPORTSCO January Dates:- Sunday December 26th Closed January dates for new courses, all 6 weeks duration Monday December 27th 2pm to 6pm Tuesday December 28th 2pm to 6pm • Yoga – Monday 10th at 8.30pm and Thursday 13th at 12.45pm Wednesday December 29th Normal Hours • Pilates – Tuesday 11th at 12.20pm for beginners and 1.05pm for intermediates, Thursday December 30th Normal Hours Wednesday 12th with beginners at 7.30pm and intermediate at Friday December 31st 9am to 5pm • Weight Management – Tuesday 11th at 7.30pm Saturday January 1st 2pm to 6pm • Tai Chi – Friday 14th at 1pm Sunday January 2nd 9am to 8pm Please call 668 7022 ext 0 or check http://www.sportsco.ie/news-from-sportsco.html Monday January 3rd 2pm to 6pm for more information and to book your place. Christmas Gift Idea: SPORTSCO membership voucher! www.esb.ie/em Dec 2010/Jan 2011 health&habitat 31 Ward-Off: The importance of an Enduring Power of Attorney to look after your affairs 8 Very often when we are in our prime, we put off planning for our future Eventually, we might make a will to provide for those close to us when we die. Yet, we give little consideration to our own well-being ESB Athletic Club Update: and welfare while we are still alive. Marathon Special Mental incapacity is often To create an EPA, you must at- next of kin may be unwilling or seen as a taboo subject, something tend a solicitor’s office. Your doc- unable to look after you. There was a great turnout from four hour race however to complete that ‘will never happen to us’ and tor must certify your mental com- You can change your mind or ESB in the 2010 Dublin Marathon. the race was always my goal. A big ignored. Currently in Ireland, if petence and your solicitor must revoke an Enduring Power of At- Great times and achievements surprise was the number of people you become mentally incapaci- certify that you understand the torney at any time up to the date were made, some running for char- who turned out to cheer the run- tated all of your assets are frozen document. You must then certify that your attorney registers the ity, others running a marathon for ners. When I finished I swore never and cannot be accessed by any- that you understand the legal ef- document with the court. In some the first time, others looking for a again but now I’m already thinking one until you become a Ward of fect of the document. When the cases the Enduring Power of At- personal best. After the race was of extra training to reduce my time Court. In those circumstances, the EPA is completed, notice of its ex- torney may be revoked after reg- over, we gathered some words of for next year.” High Court has control of all your istence must be given to two peo- istration, but this can only done wisdom from the brave souls. assets and makes all decisions on ple who are known to you, neither by way of court application. Grainne Coogan 4:04:03 your behalf, both medical and fi- of whom can be your attorney. If We are all aware of the neces- Niall Kearns 3:15:39 “I ran the marathon for St John’s nancial. So, if you lose your sens- you are married, at least one of sity of a will, but the same con- “I have completed five marathons; Ward, Our Lady’s Hospital for es, it will be a stranger and not these people must be your wife. sideration should also be given to Dublin three times, Berlin and Am- Children, Crumlin. Donations to- your next of kin who determines If you are unmarried, widowed an EPA. Family and friends do sterdam. I trained alone and fol- talled €1,831, a major part from your well being. or separated notification must be not automatically have the right, lowed a programme (18 week Pfit- generous ESB staff. My friend’s Therefore, it is recommended given to your child (if applicable). or indeed the desire, to take over zinger & Douglas). I did the Adidas little girl is being treated there for to make an Enduring Power of If not, then notice can be given your affairs should you lose the race series plus a few other races. leukaemia, so the cause was close Attorney (EPA), where you (the to any relative as a notice party. ability to manage them yourself. 2010 was the best Dublin Marathon to the heart.” ‘donor’) give one or more per- Note that if you are separated If you have already made a will, in terms of atmosphere, support and sons (your ‘attorneys’) the power or divorced, your estranged or then an EPA will complement this. organisation.” Tom Moran to make certain decisions and do ex- spouse may not act as an at- By attending to this you will en- “Whoever said that ‘you are only things on your behalf. In plan- torney. sure your assets and best interests Brian Gray 3:22:21 half way at the 20 mile marker’ ning ahead in this way, you are In choosing who should act as of both yourself and your family “In 2009 I set myself a goal to run was a very wise person. I would cutting out red tape in a situation your attorney be mindful of the are dealt with both during your two Marathons. I ran Belfast in add another of my own which is where you are mentally no longer responsibility you will be placing life and on your death. 3:54 which I was delighted with. something along the same vein, able to cope. The benefits are that on that person’s shoulders. Discuss As a nation we are living longer Six weeks later I went off work good marathon times are achieved decisions are not made by a court your intentions with your future than ever before. The inability to with something that seemed to based on a fast last 10K rather official but by someone you trust. attorneys, advise them what you manage ones a f f a i r s c a n b e f a l l be the flu, it transpired to be an than a fast first 10K.” You control the extent of your at- require of them and ensure they anybody at any age. Don’t put off immune system overreaction torney’s power - some EPAs grant are willing to act on your behalf. until tomorrow what you can do called Guillian Barré Syndrome. I Recent BHAA results power over medical affairs only, Normally one would appoint two today! n ended up paralysed from the neck • Dublin Half Sep 18: 11 runners, while others include financial attorneys. More than two is unu- down and on a ventilator, spend- 3rd & 8th Grade C, 1st & 7th matters also. Examples include sual and might lead to practical Joeanne Kenny is a solicitor with ESB ing three months in hospital, the Grade D the disposal of property, signing difficulties. Shared Services Legal. This article latter part in the National Rehab • Teachers XC Oct 09: 4 runners, of cheques, withdrawals, paying An EPA is beneficial and advisa- is a not conclusive legal advice. Each Hospital, where I learned to walk J Healy, S Healy, S Naughton, bills, signing documents, purchas- ble for everyone. However, if you individual will have their own personal again! I got out of a wheel chair D Mangan, Team came 2nd es, Christmas gifts, medical care, are single, separated, widowed or requirements so it is important to consult after three months on 16.09.09. Grade B medical decisions or instructions, divorced, this mechanism should with your own solicitor in this regard. If On 25.09.09 I was discharged, 13 • Dublin Marathon Oct 25: 11 or nursing home subvention. be given priority as it can provide you do not have a solicitor you can con- months to the day later I ran my runners, J Bradshaw 3.15 N However, there are clear and comfort that someone will look sult with the Law Society who can advise comeback Marathon (Dublin), in Kearns 3.15 A McAleer 3.17 rigorous safeguards in place to after your affairs in the event of you of solicitors in your area or consult 3:22. Throughout my illness ESB P Evoy 3.18 B Gray 3.22 M prevent an abuse of this process. tragic circumstances where your the website www.lawsociety.ie. supported me and encouraged me O’Brien 3.23 D Mangan 3.57 G to return back to work in any ca- Coogan 4.04 T Moran 4.23 M pacity when ready. My drive and Browne 4.39 focus for the 2010 Dublin Mara- • BOI Dollymount Nov 13: ESB 3 tips to feel better this Christmas thon was to draw a line under my 3rd Grade D; B Gray, S Naugh- illness and say I’m back to my ton, D Mangan, also G Coogan, Avoid overeating as it puts feel better the morning after the best, in fact better than before. J Doherty. n 1pressure on your digestive night before. Now let’s get on with giving my system and means it can’t break all to family, work and running.” down food properly, leading to Do you want to fit into your For Further information: indigestion and heartburn. 3favourite outfit this Christ- Dermot Mangan 3:57:13 http://esbnet/athleticclub/ mas? Eat a high fibre diet to avoid “It was my first marathon and as http://sharepoint/sites/Group/CIO/ Alcohol might add to the mer- bloating. Include fresh fruit, part of my training I completed the COO/CM/CSM/SC/ESB_Athletic_Club/ 2riment but it also irritates your beans and a high-fibre breakfast Adidas series. I wtargeted a sub default.aspx stomach lining. Drink sensibly to cereal. 32 health&habitat Dec 2010/Jan 2011 www.esb.ie/em

healthy eating Christmas Feast

Conquering Route 66 for Temple Street By Eddie Watts, Retired Facilities staff

Roast Goose Photography by Sasha Sonnenberg Serves 6 A group of almost 100 Motorcy- macadam to rough stones and loose clists, pillion passengers and support shale. We travelled on vast stretch- Ingredients crew assembled at Dublin Airport es of lonely isolated roads then 5.4 kg (12lb) goose, giblets on Sunday September 26th at 7am through traffic jams on seven-lane removed and began their fifth motor cycle interstates. We coped with torrential 1/4 of a lemon challenge - to ride the mother road rain, hail and 100 degree sunshine – 1 large carrot, peeled that is Route 66! sometimes in the one day. We trav- 2 sticks celery We are the Irish 66rs, a group of elled through densely populated 1 head garlic, unpeeled and cut in motorcycle enthusiasts from all over areas and through ghost towns, as half across the middle to expose the cloves Ireland dedicated to raising funds for well as through the breadbasket of 10 stalks of fresh sage Temple Street Childrens’ Hospital. America with is vast fields of corn

10 stalks of fresh thyme Photography by Joanne Murphy The Route 66 Challenge is of and wheat and through the deserts Salt and freshly ground black particular significance to all motor- of New Mexico and Arizona un- pepper Dee’s all-in-one roast veg Christmas Ice Cream cyclists of my generation. This is til we reached our goal, the Pacific Serves 4-6 Serves 6 without doubt the most famous road Ocean at Santa Monica, Los Ange- Method in America, winding 2,446 miles les California. Ingredients Ingredients 1 Preheat oven to 200˚C/400˚F/ through eight states from Chicago, While this was my first trip along Gas Mark 6. 1 small butternut squash, washed, 500ml tub vanilla ice cream skin on but seeds discarded and cut 2tbsp orange juice Illinois to Los Angeles, California.It the Route 66, it is the fifth time for 2 Take the goose and trim excess into wedges 200g Christmas cake has been immortalised in song and the Irish 66rs to undertake the chal- fat from the cavity opening, then 2 small parsnips, peeled and cut 75g glacé cherries, roughly film. From Chuck Berry to U2, from lenge. Previous efforts have raised tuck in the loose skin and tie the lengthways chopped The Grapes of Wrath to Easy Rider, €2.5m for the hospital and this legs together with string. Prick 8 baby carrots, peeled One ginger loaf cake Route 66 has become a legend. year’s target was to raise a further the skin all over with a fork (this 10 small potatoes, washed and To serve: Sadly, Route 66 no longer officially €500,000 to purchase vital equip- will help the fat to come out). halved Orange zest and icing sugar exists. It was decertified over stages, ment for paediatric neurosurgery. 3 Turn the goose over and stuff 1 head of garlic, halved the last bit, in Arizona, decommis- Paediatric neurosurgery deals with the lemon quarter, carrot, celery, horizontally and covered in foil Method sioned in 1985. When the highway diseases and injuries to the brain garlic and herbs in the neck 3 sprigs rosemary 1 Slightly soften the ice cream, tip was decommissioned, sections of and/or the spine. Patients include cavity. Attach the loose skin 2tbsp olive oil into a large bowl and beat with a around the neck to the body 4 plum tomatoes or 10 cherry wooden spoon, until smooth. the road were disposed of in various those with brain tumours brain with a cocktail stick. tomatoes 2 Fold in two tablespoons of ways. Within many cities, the route haemorrhages, spinal malforma- 4 Season the skin well with salt 2 red chillies, halved lengthways orange juice, the Christmas cake, became a ‘business loop’ for the tions or injuries, and those being and black pepper. (optional) cut into small cubes, and the interstate highway. Some sections treated because of cerebral palsy 5 Place the bird on a wire rack in a Salt and pepper glacé cherries. became state roads, local roads, or epilepsy. These are all serious roasting tin and roast for 1 hour 3 Transfer to a small freezer-proof private drives, or were abandoned and delicate operations indeed. Re- near the bottom of the oven. Method container and freeze until solid. completely. Although it is no longer member, these patients are children, 1 Heat the oven to 200˚C/gas mark 4 Just before serving, heat a ginger 6 Reduce the heat to 160˚C/325˚F/ possible to drive Route 66 uninter- many of whom are under six-years- 6. loaf cake in the microwave on rupted all the way from Chicago of-age. Gas Mark 3 and roast for a 2 Place all the vegetables except high for 45 seconds, until warm. to Los Angeles, much of the origi- While the final figure is not yet further 1 and 11/2 hours, until the chillies and tomatoes in a Thickly slice into six, divide nal route and alternate alignments available the indications are that the goose is golden. Insert a fork large roasting pan. between plates and top each or skewer into the thickest part 3 Add the garlic and rosemary with a big scoop of the ice cream. are still drivable and so part of our we have achieved our fund-raising of the leg to make sure the juices sprigs and drizzle over the olive Dust with icing sugar and grate challenge was to seek out and ride target. For my part alone, thanks run clear – now it is cooked. If oil and toss the vegetables.Season over a little orange zest to serve. all sections of the road that still ex- to the support of my colleagues in not, put it back for another 5 and place in the oven. ist regardless of their condition, only ESB, family and friends, I managed minutes and check again. 4 Bake for 30 minutes, shuffling Your Bumper Christmas issue! using the interstates and freeways to raise €10,500. So on behalf of the In e Ireland's number one food magaz 7 Allow the goose to stand, the vegetables once. Add the where there was no other choice. children and their parents, many, Y o n€ l covered in tin foil, for at least 20 3 th e ultimate tomatoes and chillies (if using) ta s t e te s t Over the next eight days, we rose many thanks. What we did will re a d y -m a d e t r ie d christmasfood & t e s t e d worth buying minutes before carving to let the re c ip e s and cook for a further 25-30 i n s id e 28 P l u s ! For more recipes at 5.30 every morning and were change their lives, it will give them A m o n t h d iY G iFt s o fw in t e r juices flow back into the flesh so minutes. Place the roasting pan Make your w a rm e rs ownpresents see the Christmas on the road from sunrise to sunset, a chance to grow and who knows you have a moist bird. in the centre of the table and let t h is y e a r W in ! issue of Easy covering 400 miles on some days some day one of them may even un- A ch ri s t m a s theBudget everyone tuck in. dinnerfor all t h e f a m ily ch r is t m a s Asuper-quick festive feast Food on sale now. dertake Route 66 themselves. n thatwon’t cost the earth! on roads ranging from smooth tar SPECIAL DIETS seasonal gluten-free treats and how to keep chr Istmas annual '10 colds at bay, naturally www.esb.ie/em Dec 2010/Jan 2011 health&habitat 33

is on the child’s birth certificate, dren about the other parent, Health and Wellbeing TREOIR this gives him guardianship rights maintaining contact, the im- to his child. Guardianship means portance of fathers in the lives having a say in the major of children, explaining fam- EAP decisions of a child’s ily relationships, mediation, etc. Calendar 2011 Noticeboard life, such as choice of • Cohabitation, income tax, religion, of school, childcare, housing etc. consenting to Treoir produces a wide range of 8Treoir is medical treatment, useful publications including: In- retired colleagues a very merry the National passports, etc. formation Pack for parents who Christmas and a happy and healthy Federation of A father may are not married to each other, Tak- new year and share a few healthy Services for get guardianship ing the Stand (a guide for parents eating tips for the Christmas pe- unmarried parents of his child, if resolving disputes regarding care riod. the mother is in of their children), Family Links • Don’t go to a party hungry We and their children. Its agreement, by signing a (positive pointers for parents who often eat faster and more when main aim is to promote the form in the presence of a peace are helping their children to under- we are hungry - therefore eat a rights and welfare of parents commissioner or commissioner stand their family situation), Being wholesome breakfast and lunch who are not married to each for oaths. If the mother is not in there for them (specially for grand- on the day to avoid overeating at other and the rights and welfare agreement, the father can apply parents of children whose parents the party. to the local district court to be aren’t married to each other) and • Watch your portion Treat your- of their children. appointed a guardian of his child. The Young Parent Survival Guide self to a nice drink, dessert, choc- Treoir, through its National Infor- (a magazine for teen parents). All olate or sweets without guilt, but This includes parents who are mation Service, provides a free, con- these publications are available always watch your portion. Go parenting alone, parents who are fidential and up-to-date information free of charge or downloadable for small portions. This way you cohabiting and parents who are and referral service for unmarried from the website www.treoir.ie. n can sample all the different foods. sharing parenting but living apart. parents on all aspects of unmar- Moderation is always the key. More than one-third of all births ried parenthood. LoCall 1890 252 For further information contact: • Make a conscious choice to lim- in Ireland today are to unmarried 084. Information is available on: Treoir, 14 Gandon House, Custom House it high fat items High fat food parents. Many parents, and indeed • Legal issues – guardianship, Square, IFSC, Dublin 1. Tel: 01 6700 120 HEALTH SERVICES items can be found in fried food, those who work with them, are custody, access, maintenance, Email: [email protected] Web: www.treoir.ie update cream-based soup, cheese-filled unaware that the legal situation for establishing paternity, birth The Employee Assistance Programme casseroles, these parents is different to that for registration, passports etc. (EAP) is a confidential service provided Regular exercise, healthy pies, processed married parents. For example, many • Social welfare – One-Parent Fam- to ESB Staff and Pensioners.For further eating and a healthy mind are key If you have any meats such as unmarried parents mistakenly ily Payment, Rent Supplement etc. information on this or any related matter to promoting and maintaining your “medical issues salami and sau- believe that if the father’s name • Parenting – talking to chil- contact your local EAP Officer. health. Our main focus next year that you would sages, some pas- will be communicating and rein- like published tries and baked forcing 12 key health messages to in EM next year goods. Don’t for- all staff. You will receive a health please send your get about eggnog calendar at the end of December suggestion to - usually made which will highlight the health ESB Health Serv- with egg yolk Don’t forget: your bacteria this winter! topic we wish to cover each month. ices mailbox. and thick cream. Topics will include; lung, bowel • Try other ver- but most bacteria are bene- imbalance caused by anti- ments, available from your and skin cancer, muscle/bone/joint sions of alcohol Instead of beer, ficial and important for our biotics. Ideally you should health store. Again the problems, heart and circulatory dis- cider, Bailey’s and Kahlua, try health. They provide us with look for live yogurt cultures same quantities of cells out- eases, asthma and respiratory ill- dry wine, Bloody Marys or spirits immune protection; help us which contain the bacteria lined above apply. Capsules nesses, stress management and the with diet mixer which have fewer with digestion and elimi- L. acidophilus, preferably are better and the prod- importance of a good nights sleep. calories. Remember: Calories nation and supply a small on its own with no other uct should be available Posters will be placed on all no- from alcohol tend to be stored amount of vitamins. Around competing bacteria. Un- refrigerated in the shop. ticeboards countrywide to promote in the abdomen. People who are 80% of our bacteria live in fortunately many yogurts Brewer’s yeast sprin- head to toe health issues. We will overweight actually gain weight our gut and it is estimated in Ireland contain a mix kled on salads or also be promoting our existing more easily when they consume that together they have of a few different bacteria, vegetables will help health programmes i.e. Cardio- alcohol. 100 times as many genes so do read the labels care- compensate for any re- vascular Health Screening, Bowel • Drink plenty of waterAlcohol and as the human genome! fully. The optimum range duction in B-vitamins, as Cancer Screening and the Flu Im- coffee can dehydrate your body. The flora in our gut is finely of cell bacteria in the yogurt will increased intake of munisation Programme to encour- • Physical activity Take nice brisk balanced with good bacteria is around 10 billion active wheat bran and oatmeal. age greater staff participation. walks with your loved ones and Miriam keeping potentially harmful cells. Again, labeling on yo- Green leafy vegetables, such Finally, ESB Health Services enjoy their company in the holi- Mcdonald bacteria in check. However, gurts is poor and only one as kale, brussels sprouts would like to wish all the staff and day season. n antibiotics, birth control or two varieties actually and broccoli are a good NATURAL HEALTH pills and steroid drugs can indicate how many billion source of Vitamin K, magne- It’s that time of year when change this balance, allow cells are included in their sium and calcium. Pumpkin Complimentary health some of us may end up hav- some microorganisms to product. A simple rule of seeds will also provide you & wellbeing workshops ing to take a course of an- grow out of control and may thumb is, therefore, to se- with magnesium and iron. Open to all ESB staff tibiotics. In certain circum- cause diarrhea as a side ef- lect, live, cultured yogurt Finally, molasses is a stances antibiotics are the fect. This imbalance may, with L. acidophilus and avoid good source of iron and As part of our commitment to the health and wellbeing of ESB staff, we are de- lighted to offer a FREE spinning workshop in SPORTSCO on South Lotts Road. best source of treatment, in turn, deplete our bodies any yogurts with added sug- has slightly less calories Up to 20 people can participate per class. The workshops are available on the fol- but, while in the short term of certain nutrients, such ar. This may take a bit of than other sweeteners. lowing dates at 1:10pm: they may provide immedi- as B-vitamins, iron, calcium, getting used to, but you can As always if you are on 1. Wednesday 1st December ate relief and help with your magnesium and Vitamin K. always add fruit to compen- any medication please 2. Tuesday 7th December 3. Wednesday 8th December illness, in the long-term they In parallel with any antibi- sate and increase your nutri- consult your doctor before Why not relax in our luxurious leisure suite afterwards? can have an impact on your otic treatment, therefore, ent intake at the same time. taking any supplements. n SPINNING is the global leader in indoor-cycling training. Here at SPORTSCO, it health and upset the bal- there are a number of If you have been on a allows us to provide you with a uniquely-tailored training programme in a group environment. While bringing health and fitness to every possible lifestyle, we give ance of bacteria in your body. measures you can con- number of courses of anti- Miriam McDonald is a you a great personalized workout, incredible calorie burn and positive personal The negative impacts of sider to support your body biotics in quick succession, Nutritional Consultant & challenge in every class. bacteria such as E-coli, nutritionally including: or if you are lactose intoler- Practitioner (CANNP). She can Contact Fiona on 6687022 ext 204, or email [email protected] clostridium difficile or strep- Yogurt can provide ben- ant, it may be preferable to be contacted at miriam.mc- for more information and to book your place. tococcus are well known, eficial bacteria to offset the take L. acidophilus supple- [email protected] SPORTSCO, South Lotts Road, Ringsend. Tel: 01 6687022 Email : [email protected] Web: www.sportsco.ie 34 health&habitat Dec 2010/Jan 2011 www.esb.ie/em

Winter CarE: Safe driving - it’s MY responsibility ... The big picture

(l-r): Pat Gilbride, Generation Operations, Ronan Collier, Corporate Centre, Noel Rushe, Telecoms, Tadhg Crowley, Safe Driving Bureau, Patricia Drummond, Safe Driving Bureau, Gay Byrne, Chairman, RSA, Grainne Coogan, Safe Driving Bureau, Conal Bonnar, Fleet and Equipment, Ollie Brogan, Acting Executive Director, Group HR and Garda Martin Callinan, Deputy Commissioner in Charge of Operations. ESB Wins: ‘Leading Lights in Road Safety’ Award

8The Road Safety four times in icy or snowy conditions. Leave yourself Authority paid tribute more time to complete the to ESB’s Safe Driving journey. initiatives during Irish Road 8 By working together, Europe and North Africa could Safety Week in October In December 2009 and in January 2010, numerous provide all of their electricity requirements from renewable skidding incidents were ESB has won the ‘Lead- reported to the Safe Driv- sources by 2050 ing Lights in Road Safety’ ing Bureau, from both fleet award for 2010 in the Busi- grainne drivers and private drivers. electricity tential to answer supply and technologies that contribute ness Category, for its com- abroad security concerns while si- to carbon reduction in the mitment to ensuring that coogan How to Avoid Skids Watch multaneously addressing en- developed world can now staff and members of the safe drive out for black ice, especially ergy poverty in the develop- bring new opportunities to public are safe on the roads in sheltered/shaded areas, That’s the conclusion of a pan- ing economies of North places too remote to ever at all times. This award is under trees and adjacent to el of experts led by consult- Africa. have been served by the na- a very welcome recognition for details in the February high walls. Other potential ants Pricewaterhouse Coop- The challenges – in national tional grid. of ESB’s ongoing safe driv- edition of EM. skid traps are wet leaves, ers whose report, 100% policy, market integration and ing programmes ‘Safe Driv- exposed bends, bridges and Renewable Electricity: A infrastructure development Here’s a kilowatt I made ing – it’s my responsibility’ Drivers’ Handbooks These also higher ground. Reduce Roadmap to 2050 for Europe are enormous, but the report earlier… and ‘Achieving Road Safety handbooks have been de- speed as soon as you see a and North Africa, was sets out a road map of achiev- In Malaysia, a new feed-in- Excellence’. veloped for Fleet and Pri- potential skid spot. launched in November. able targets which, if met, tariff will enable individuals The Leading Lights in vate Drivers. The hand- Currently, Europe obtains could make this ambitious vi- to earn income by selling Road Safety Awards, hosted books consolidate ESB Safe What to do if you do find just 15 per cent of its electric- sion a reality. electricity generated from re- by the Road Safety Authori- Driving Policies, as well as yourself skidding ity from renewable sources, newable resources at home. ty, celebrate the outstanding providing advice and guide- • Don’t brake fast under with fossil fuels (55 per cent) Ten thousand points of light While selling electricity efforts of people to improve lines on a variety of driving any circumstance - if it’s and nuclear (30 per cent) The Indian government has back to the grid is not a new road safety in their commu- issues. They are currently too late and you have al- making up the balance. announced that it will bring idea, the Malaysian approach nities. The awards ceremo- in production and distri- ready braked, release the By looking at the synergies electricity to 10,000 remote is innovative in other re- ny took place on Wednes- bution of these should be brakes immediately, then of a cross-national electricity villages using renewable re- spects. National project team day 13th October 2010 in completed early in the New reapply gently. system using smart grid tech- sources over the next 18 leader Ahmad Hadri Haris Dublin Castle and were pre- Year. • Reduce acceleration but nologies, the report highlights months. “ explains that consumers sented by the Chairman of don’t take your foot off the the solar potential of southern The Indian Minister for need only provide 10 per the Road Safety Authority, Winter Driving Reminder accelerator completely. Europe and the Sahara, the New and Renewable Energy, cent of the cost of the instal- Gay Byrne. It is a wise move to have • If your vehicle skids and hydroelectric capacity of Farooq Abdullah, told the lation, with the balance com- Ollie Brogan, Acting Ex- your vehicle fully serviced slews sideways -Turn the mountainous and glacial re- Delhi International Renewa- ing from a bank loan. ecutive Director HR, and at the beginning of winter steering wheel in the same gions such as the Alps and ble Energy Conference that Describing a typical house- members of the Safe Driv- or at least winter checked, direction as the skid and Scandinavia, the potential of Rs 500 crore (€8.2 million) hold example, he says: “The ing Steering Group accepted this good timing will ensure ease off the accelerator at wind generation – especially has been allocated for the monthly income generated the award on behalf of ESB. your vehicle is in optimum the same time. in the Baltic and North Seas, project. will be RM696 (€163) and condition. • avoid over correction wave power on the Atlantic In a scaleable process that the monthly repayment is Advanced Driving update with too much steering. coasts, and biomass in general. bears some similarities to the RM456 (€107) to the bank, The on-road Advanced Light up Use your Daytime • use the highest gears pos- With unified power mar- microfinance initiatives that thus earning consumers a net Driving programme is Running Lights (dipped sible under the conditions, kets on both continents work- have transformed local econ- cash of RM240 (€56) per about to recommence fol- lights) so that you are mak- and as you gently brake, ing together, the report looks omies in the developing month.” lowing the appointment of ing yourself more visible, move down in your gears toward a future of clean en- world, a variety of technolo- The scheme is part of the three new service providers thereby reducing the likeli- to come to a gradual halt. ergy production for Europe gies will be employed based Malaysian government’s plan in November. A number of hood of a crash. and transformative social and on local conditions. One per- to boost the renewable por- pilot courses will take place economic development across son in each village will be ap- tion of the national energy during December, with the Keep your distance Remem- For more information email safe- North Africa. pointed to supervise and mix to 5.5 per cent by 2015 official relaunch of the pro- ber; ‘only a fool breaks the [email protected] or visit the Safe A 100 per cent renewable maintain the mini generation (from less than 1 per cent in gramme scheduled for the 2 second rule’ say it twice in Driving Website: http://esbnet/ strategy, apart from obvious facility established. 2009) and to 11 per cent by New Year. Watch this space wet conditions and at least safedriving/ climate benefits, has the po- The same renewable energy 2020. n How to have 35 a cracking Christmas without the money Athletics worries! club update Life Life, Page 37 Health & Habitat, pg 31 Dec 2010/Jan 2011 www.esb.ie/em

a selection of 3 Image in-box your photography

1

2

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5

5 4

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9 8

1. ‘It’s cold in Canada!’ by Maria Bennett, Archives and Heritage, Group Services 2. ‘Orangutan in Malaysia’ by Paul Greenwood, ESBI O&M Solutions, Rousch, Pakistan 3. ‘Ferry from Manley to Sydney’ by Frank McAnulla, Ballycoolin, Networks 4. ‘Red Sika Deer Doe in Farran Wood on the Lee Resorvoir’ by Dave Carey, ESB Networks. 5. ‘Poolbeg - A view at dusk’ by Orla Maher, Energy International. 6. ‘Winter Robin’ by Michael Hughes, VS. 7. ‘Peering Cat’ by Susan Small, ICT Group 8. ‘Autumn Fruits’ by John Sorohan, LRP, Energy International. 9. ‘Dirt Bike’ by Kevin Grace, Generation Operations.

family she knows nothing ple. Soon she wishes “that this She is exposed to some new standards – a novella rather By Katherine Thorne about. During the journey, she place without shame or se- experiences such as being than a novel. However, its scope wonders whether these people crets” could be her home. taken to an old fashioned Irish far exceeds its length, especial- book review will be kind or mean to her. She follows the daily routine wake. John takes her to where ly in emotional terms. It con- In fact, it turns out that the with John and Edna but is “the black sea hisses up into jures up authentic images of Foster couple, John and Edna Kinsel- intuitive enough to notice loud frothy waves”. rural Ireland in the early eight- By Claire Keegan la, are childless, kind, and some slightly strange behaviour Eventually, she discovers that ies. Published by Faber and Faber much better off financially in the Kinsellas. She finds there is a very painful secret in It is a book that would bene- Price €6.99 than the little girl’s family. Edna one day crying inexplicably this household. A nosey neigh- fit from at least a second read- This is a small She has been neglected by as she leaves the bathroom. bour is the informant but ing because, in the light of its On a Sunday morning after her parents but is taken in Then on another occasion Edna the secret throws light on so revealed secret, we get a great- book by any Mass, a father drives his young hand by John and Edna Kin- pretends to a shopkeeper in much of the strangeness in the er sense of the author’s skilful standards – a daughter through Wexford sella in a manner that seems Gorey that this little girl is her Kinsella home. management of emotional de- novella rather county to deposit her with a surprising for a childless cou- own daughter. This is a small book by any tails throughout the book. n than a novel. 36 LIFE Dec 2010/Jan 2011 www.esb.ie/em

Create your own winter wonderland with flowering, sweet smelling plants...

Ask Gerry

I have a nice bank in On the scent of winter! front of my house but it is mainly of large summer leaves, and its flowers have no more widely available and is the plant is striking in flowering shrubs. Can petals, just cream-coloured worth seeking. On a bush appearance through the late you advise me on similar pollen-carrying stamens. It reaching two metres in a autumn and winter. The shrubs that would give flowers before Christmas in narrow shape, the flowers are fragrance is very light and winter colour? most years, or shortly tufted at the tips and along the delicate, reminiscent of afterwards, and the stems can branches, small tubular florets daffodils. There are very few shrubs Apart from the flowering be brought indoors where they packed together. The colour is The shrubby honeysuckle, that give much flower col- shrubs, some others have will last for a few days in a lovely wine-pink shading out Lonicera purpusii, is a shrub of our in winter. The scented good foliage and bark ef- water. to white. The scent is powerful medium size and produces plants mentioned in the fects. For foliage, aucuba, GERRY The fragrant viburnum but delicate and sweet. small cream-coloured flowers column can be useful, skimmia and euonymus DALY carries tufts of pink-white small Mahonia has been in flower from mid-winter to spring. The especially viburnum, ma- are good and for bark, dog- tubular flowers at the ends of since October but continues flowers are sweetly scented. honia, daphne and witch wood, willow and white- gardening small twigs from November through to spring. The bush Place it towards the back of a hazel. Laurustinus has stemmed rubus can make a 8 One of the most through to March, flowering carries large, spiky evergreen mixed border where it could clusters of white flowers. good show. more in mild spells. The pink leaves on a large broad bush blend into the background in charming, and unsung, flower clusters can be seen with upright tufted stems and summer but be noticeable in aspects of the garden in from a good distance. The scent the flowers in a crown right on winter. Even one or two of winter are its scented is sweet with a warm touch of top. The long, narrow racemes these plants can make a plants cloves. of flowers carry small delightful addition to the Mowing grass in winter Witch hazel is renowned for individual yellow flowers and garden at this time of year. n Winter flowering plants its sweet, light perfume. The While many people put grass builds up. This makes are not very numerous but plant forms a large bush or away their lawn mower in the first cut a real task and many have sweet scent as a small tree and its spidery late autumn, the lawn can often the lawn looks yellow mechanism for attracting flowers are carried along bare be mown in winter and in patches. Instead, take pollinating insects during a branches. Plant it in a position looks much better as a result. advantage of any dry spell time when insects are scarce. of prominence, ideally with a Grass grows during mild of weather that lasts a few Some of these plants have dark backdrop where sunlight spells in winter, a few days days and mow the grass inconspicuous flowers, so the can shine through to highlight or a week at a time. Each once or twice during winter, effect of their scent is the flowers and it should be time grass grows, it gets or even once a month if important. near a path where its scent can taller and if the lawn is not possible. The lawn will look One of the least well-known be appreciated. The flowers, mown between November remarkably better and will winter-scented plants is the though apparently flimsy, are and March, quite a layer of need less effort in spring. sweet box or Christmas box, a amazingly resistant to cold. waist-high evergreen shrub. It In recent years, the stunning has glossy green, pointed Daphne bholua has become

Weekend breaks: cities for a flying visit Madrid and Warsaw, why not try Modepaleis, Veronique Bran- bet? Check into Malaga’s ing place that delivers great instead Antwerp, Malaga and quinho and Yohji Yamamoto. most chic hotel, Room Mate sandwiches and salads. For Vilnius? If you’re snacking between Lola (www.room-matehotels. a spot of culture, make sure shops (and why ever not?), com), which is situated in the to take in the 16th-century then try the cake and coffee Old Town. Gates of Dawn, quite prob- at the intriguingly named Bi- ably the city’s most iconic ologisch-Dynamische Bakkerij VILNIUS symbol. The most inspiring (17 Volkstraat). Dinner? Try De Is there a European city as district to check out is Uzupis, Kleine Zavel (Stoofstraat 2), a undiscovered as Vilnius? To a uniquely characterful and casual and wholly innovative my mind, there isn’t, so rec- creative hub that is full of restaurant. Best place to rest ommending such a beauti- artists, artisans, cafés and TONY your head? Apartment living ies and shops. Start the day ful place is a double-edged galleries. Sleep off all the CLAYTON-LEA is all the economically-friendly off with a great breakfast at Le thing – do I want to keep it day’s culture at the Narutis rage these days, so check out Teteria , which is situated on C/ a secret or do I want to open Hotel (Pilles Street; www. TRAVEL ANTWERP the Sleep In The City website San Agustin 9, a pretty, fragrant it up for more people to dis- narutis.com), which has an Less than one hour from Brus- (www.sleepinthecity.be) for city street. Follow breakfast with a cover? Of course, you should elegance all of its own. n With a new year comes sels, Antwerp is the perfect spot centre accommodation. visit to the excellent Museo Pi- visit here: its Old Town is small fresh thoughts. With most for a weekend break – it’s small, casso (San Agustin 8), which but incredibly picture-postcard of us having tighter budgets, cosy, energetic and very much MALAGA is housed in a wonderful 17th- pretty. It has treasures that quick weekend breaks are one of the most trendsetting, Once viewed as a simplistic, century Renaissance building. are difficult to beat, from hid- a much more viable option compact cities in Europe. Be- working-class fishing port, The museum contains a wide den courtyards and cobbled than two or three weeks cause of its innate fashionable Malaga has developed over range of the artist’s works, in- alleys to olive/yellow build- away. We’re also aware that status, Antwerp is something the past ten years or so into cluding pieces donated by fam- ings and glittering church some of you might be tired of a magnet for indigenous a world-class spot that blends ily members. If you’re all walked domes. After stepping from of heading off to the same designers, quite a number of beautiful Old Town atmosphere out by evening time, try dinner one quirky shop to another cities, so instead of the usu- whom have boutique stores in (courtesy of its Moorish herit- at Café de Paris (C/Velez Mala- in the Old Town, try lunch in al tried, tested and trusted and around Nationalestratt – age and history) with contem- ga 8), a Michelin-starred, family Zoe’s Bar & Grill (Odminiu), destinations like Brussels, check out the design stores Het porary restaurants, art galler- operated restaurant. Best hotel a contemporary casual din- www.esb.ie/em Dec 2010/Jan 2011 LIFE 37

BETTER BUY BUDGET Have a stress free christmas ... It’s the thought that counts

that this is for once just as easily items they have for under €10 done as said. is simply astonishing and you’re The first thing to remember almost sure to find something around – either on the web or about Christmas is that most particularly suited to the per- on foot if you have the time – people appreciate getting a gift, son in question. And if you pop before you do the buying itself. regardless of what that gift is or across to the menswear section And don’t be afraid to put the how much it cost. Furthermore, you’ll be bowled over by some emphasis on the practical – with they tend to appreciate a gift all of the value on offer there for people eating in a lot more now the more if it is wrapped and very practical gifts like slippers cookery books and kitchen aids BARRY presented with care. and so on. make very welcome presents for This Christmas, McCall One very cheap way to do this For younger friends and fam- many this year. The same goes is by designing your own person- ily members the best place to for car care, personal grooming, PERSONAL FINANCE alised gift tags and printing them start is the web. Smyths and homecare and DIY and many let Santa be the only 8 Christmas is coming out at home. Go to http://office. most of the other retailers have other areas besides. microsoft.com where you’ll find very good websites which will And now comes the most im- one in the red and so are all its attendant dozens of free design templates not only enable you to compare portant part; discipline. Before expenses. which you can download. prices but browse for the ideal you leave the house with any loan balance in full in the Next to the gifts themselves; gifts for the little ones in ques- money in your pocket make a event of your death. During the boom years the best way to scale back on tion from the comfort of your list and stick to it. So beat the Christmas most of us splurged unwisely spending without offending own home or office. Don’t be tempted to impulse shopping rush and get a loan on gifts of dubious value and anyone is to set spending limits The same process applies to buy – unless of course it’s for now from the Credit Union. paid for them for much of the for each recipient. Say €10 for adult gift giving. Go online to the yourself; buy what you intended You can apply online in following year through maxed friends and €50 for family mem- sites of catalogue retailers such as and if the shop doesn’t have what the Member’s Area on our out credit cards. Times have bers. Then it’s a question of going Littlewoods (www.littlewoods. you are looking for go elsewhere website www.stpatrickscu. changed and so have attitudes. out and putting a bit of thought ie ) and Argos (www.argos.ie) or or come back another day. Oh, ie or you can post in an Among the most frequent into each present. department stores like Arnotts and there’s another thing – if application form. requests to this column is the If you’re buying gifts for teen- (www.arnotts.ie) to get prices you really want to do Christmas SIMON Remember, if you do your one looking for advice on age girls or young women then and more importantly gift ideas. on a budget don’t under any cir- DUNNE shopping with cash it is easier managing Christmas on a Penney’s is one of the best places Once you get the ideas you cumstances leave it until the last to keep account of what you budget. And the good news is to start your search. The range of can do a bit more shopping minute. n St Patrick’s credit are spending. However, if you decide to Union (ESB Staff) Ltd. do the shopping with your Credit Card and are unable Alfa Romeo: Giulietta 1.6JTDM-2 Although Christmas to clear the full balance is a time of joy, it can put when the payment date falls a lot of pressure on hard due, then get a loan from the 105hp Lusso pressed parents trying to Credit Union in the new year give their family a Yuletide to to clear it and avoid paying remember. excessive interest. n The temptation is to borrow beyond our means, from sources that charge very high St Patrick’s interest, resulting in a sack Credit Union dave full of debt in the year to Competition walshe come. But you don’t have to spend next year living with motoring the Ghost of Christmas Past! Win an A loan from St Patrick’s I work with planners. Al- It’s spacious, has a practical front, side and rear styling, engine producing 170hp for Credit Union will ensure iPod nano!! ways covering the basics, do- boot and the room in the rear plus Alpfa’s trademark hid- €5k extra. That’s a steep price that Christmas will be an To be in with a chance of ing the research and making den rear door handles. The penalty but it’ll still keep you is fine, albeit with limited vis- enjoyable and peaceful time winning please answer the sure the right decision is made simple interior is pure class in the B tax band. The base ibility. The Lusso spec is laden for you and your family. following question and text your or at least putting forward the with goodies like cruise con- with some of the switches diesel price, plus the metallic answer to 087 9858238 in the arguments to allow the cor- trol, automated wipers and copying those in the Alfa 8C paint, put the car on my test rect decision to be made. As a dimming mirrors, climate Competizione, easily the best drive at €24,295. The reasons why are: following format “CUCOMP result I was left with a gaping control, steering wheel con- looking car made in the last The ride was harder than • Our One-Year loan has an followed by your answer (i.e. a, mouth when one of our plan- trols, Bluetooth and, as my few years (Bing it). I expected with some of the interest rate of just 4.9% b or c) and your name” ners came up to me and said Dad would say, a ‘music-cen- Complaints? I found the speed bumps I usually en- per annum. What is the difference in the in- she ‘gets’ the Giulietta, the car tre’. It’s as modern as it gets pedals were too close to me counter on my journey to • if you need to spread the I’d started raving about before terest rate between our One-Year but this is an Alfa and they and I could only find a com- work being a lot more jarring repayments over a longer I got to test it. She’d seen the Loan and our Standard Loan? do things differently. One ex- promised seating position. My than usual. The road holding term, you can also top- Giulietta the previous day. a) 0.6% ample - LED lights. The Alfa test drive model was diesel was fine with a modicum of up your current Standard That’s the Alfa effect. powered and while it was a understeer when pressed. b) 1.6% has front LED daytime run- Loan, which has a rate of It was ephemeral though good, efficient diesel with Alfa have worked very hard c) 2.6% ning lights but it’s at the back 6.5% per annum. as she went out and bought where this baby shines. The stop-start technology and on producing a quality engi- Important Only one entry per person, • You can make lump sum a Mini. Planners, eh? All rear LED lights on the Giuli- good consumption, it was not neered car – and they have no mail entries acceptable, and the head with fleeting heart! OK, payments without incurring etta are the best ever. They the most powerful of engines. succeeded. They are very close closing date is Monday January 31st. budget was probably a factor look like eyes with eyebrows Anyway, petrol is like a drug to the Ford/VW/Toyota/Opel any penalty or charges. but, and I’m in guessing ter- and a swirl thrown in. Words to an Alfa. It needs it. When posse in this regard but miles • Flexible repayment terms. ritory here, readies aside I’d Last issue’s winner don’t do them justice, which is it has it, it’s happiest and ahead in the looks and desir- • Fast and efficient application Last month’s winner was Emlyn say the Giulietta would have why I’ve included them in the when an Alfa is happy so is ability stakes. Oodles of style process. won out. Even the name is a Lang working in Erne Stations – picture accompanying this re- its driver. That is why I’d opt with substance. I love it. n • Free Loan Insurance Cover winner, first used in the ‘50s congratulations Emlyn and your view. for a model with the ground- (for members under 70 on an equally fetching work- iPod nano is on the way to you. The Giulietta has amazing breaking 1.4 Multiair petrol Full details at www.alfaromeo.ie of-art car. years) which will clear your 38 Dec 2010 / Jan 2011 www.esb.ie/em have fun entering our fab competitions and even competitions more fun if you win an amazing prize.... See all available prizes below. Enter today!

WIN The Perfect Gift for the EM WIN a family pass to the EM Comp 1 Comp 2 Golfer on your Christmas List National Wax Museum Treat the golfer in your life to a voucher for The National Wax Museum Plus is an interactive visitor attraction one of Ireland’s leading golf locations, Killeen located on Foster Place, off Dame Street, in the Temple Bar at the Castle in County Meath. A host of stars have heart of Dublin City Centre. visited the much talked about Killeen Castle in The National Wax Museum is four floors of discovery, recent months including former US President interaction and exhibition. Visitors descend in to the basement Bill Clinton and US Open Champions past and for a journey through the vaults of Irish history and the horrific present, Nick Faldo and Graeme McDowell. Chambers of Horrors. Killeen Castle is home to the superb Jack Also featured is the Children’s Enchanted World, The Science Nicklaus Signature Course which will host The Scoring Game School full-day golf clinic and Killeen and Discovery gallery and Hall of Fame in tribute to sporting, 2011 Solheim Cup in September 2011 along with Castle green fee worth €299, just answer this the theatre and television legends. The Museum is home to The WAX the world renowned Dave Pelz Short Game Golf following question as per instructions below: Factor recording studio an interactive video room and the Grand School and a range of lakes for fishing. Hall of Fame, a tribute to our greatest movie and music legends. Killeen Castle also the following packages Where is Kileen Castle? The National Wax Museum Plus is the ultimate entertainment available: a) Co. Dublin experience for all. 1. Killeen Castle green fee voucher including the b) Co. Wicklow This festive season come and visit Santa in the Children’s use of a golf buggy for two – €199 c) Co. Meath enchanted world that has been transformed into the north pole to mark his arrival. To be in with your chance of winning a family 2. Dave Pelz Scoring Game School half-day golf Killeen Castle vouchers are available for pass just answer the following question as per instructions below. Opening Times clinic and a Killeen Castle green fee – €199 purchase at Dundrum Town Centre Where is Santa from? Monday-Sunday 10.00am-7.00pm (Customer Service Desk) at Last admission 6.15pm 3. Dave Pelz Scoring Game School full-day golf a) The North Pole Visit Santa and Tour the Museum www.killeencaste.com or order b) The East Pole clinic and a Killeen Castle green fee – €299 on 01-689 3000. for €12 every weekend in December To be in with your chance to win a Dave Pelz c) The West Pole before the 24th of December.

WIN a Botanica Hamper WIN two of Dave Flynn’s WIN the ideal Christmas Gift EM EM Comp 5 Botanica Beauty is a natural skincare company EM latest cd’s Comp 4 Comp 3 Robert Nolan promotions presents: ‘The Worlds based in Warrenpoint, Northern Ireland established Biggest Band’ swing and jazz concert at the National to cater for the growing awareness of Nature’s Dublin born composer Dave Flynn’s work Concert Hall on Jan 8th 2011. It is a celebration of the Healing Energy. Botanica Beauty’s unique blend of encompasses most musical styles including jazz, rock worlds finest Big Band Legends and will feature hits from Glenn natural oils combines to enrich and hydrate the skin creating and traditional Irish music. His work has been performed by Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Court Basie and many, many more! a natural barrier against pollutants. Botanica Beauty products various musicians and he has won awards for his music. He is are 100% natural, effective and affordable. a former founding member if the Dublin Gutair Quartet and To be in with your chance of winning a pair of The range consists of six products: isstigates the foundation of the Irish Composers’ Collective. tickets just answer the following question as per instructions below: • Antiseptic Wash Dave is a unique talent and through adding hard work and • Moisturiser dedication to the gifts he was given he is rapidly making a Where is the concert taking place? • Skin Repair name for himself. a) The Olympia • Anti-Ageing b) Vicar Street • Hand and Nail Cream To be in with your chance of winning c) The National Concert Hall this fabulous prize, just answer the When frequently used Botanica Beauty’s Herbal Creams following question as per instructions promote healthy cell growth helping to maintain the skin’s below: WIN tickets to A Celebration of the elasticity resulting in a more youthful, smoother and softer skin. Music of Bacharach and Bennett Where was Dave Flynn born? EM This spectacular concert is brought to you by Robert Comp 6 To be in with your chance to win a Botanica Beauty Hamper a) Belfast Nolan promotions and features all the classic songs made just answer the following question as per instructions below: b) Cork famous by Burt & Tony. c) Dublin The concert is being performed by the London Big Band What percentage of the poducts used and Vocalists in the National Concert Hall on Jan 9th 2011. in the Botanica products are natural? ‘David occupies a unique position To be in with your chance to win tickets to this a) 10% in the world of music: his work event, just answer the following question as per b) 90% reflects an intimate and respectful instructions below: c) 100% knowledge of the Irish folk tradition along with deep insight and skill In which month will this show be www.botanicabeauty.com in the world of modern classical performed in the National Concert Hall? composition’- Martin Hayes. Tel: +44 (0) 28 417 74057 a) Dec 2011 b) Jan 2011 c) Dec 2010

How to enter competitions in EM

The closing date for all competi- text the relevant number, fol- number and your answer, and will not have an auto response but Bands’ tions is Jan15th. Competitions, lowed by your answer, and your between your answer and your you will be included in the draw. EMCOMP 6 except where specified, are open name to 087 923 9210. name. Entries not matching the Tickets to ‘A celebration of the to all readers. There are two ways For example, if your name is above format will not be recog- Numbers for each competition: Music of Bacharach and Bennett’ to enter competitions in EM. John Smith and you wish to enter nised. You will still be charged EMCOMP 1 competition 1, then text one of for the message. All messages are Full day golf clinic 2 Mailing your entry 1 SMS from your mobile the following, depending on your charged at the standard rate and EMCOMP 2 Send your answer along with phone answer to the question: winners will be selected at ran- Pass to National Wax Museum your name and address, clearly Each competition has a number EMCOMP1 A John Smith dom. Should you be chosen as the EMCOMP3 indicating which competition associated with it. You can use EMCOMP1 B John Smith winner of the competition, you Botanica Beauty Hamper you are entering by using the this number to enter the competi- EMCOMP1 C John Smith will receive a phone call to the EMCOMP 4 above numbers on the envelope tions via SMS from your mobile Important You must use the mobile phone you used to send Dave Flynn’s Cds to EM, ESB Corporate Commu- phone. above format, and must ensure your entry. EMCOMP 5 nications, 27 Lr. Fitzwilliam St., To enter the competition simply that there is a space between the Please note that received texts Tickets to ‘the World’s biggest Dublin 2. www.esb.ie/em Dec 2010 / Jan 2011 LIFE 39

crossword: Win shopping vouchers worth €200 and €100 with our crossword competition €100 Crossword 1 to be won! 1 2 3 4 5 6 Across Down 1. Fruit used in making jam which is high 1. Farewell. (3) 7 8 in vitamin C. (12) 2. The last word of a prayer. (4) safetyquiz 9 10 7. The music of Emimem, for example. (3) 3. Flying toy. (4) 9. Grant, yield. (4) 4. Workers’ organization. (5) 11 10. Popular dessert. (6) 5. Annoyed. (5) 11. Type of sword. (4) 6. Snare. (4) Win a €50 voucher! 12 13 14 14. Sneaky. (5) 8. The effect on children of their schoolmates Electrical Safety Rules Quiz 15 16 17 15. Cooked on a pan. (5) etc. (4,8) 16. Envelop. (4) 9. Christian ceremony or sacrament. (12) Q. Can 10/20kV rubber glove work be carried out 18 19 20 18. One who doesn’t succeed. (5) 12. Show held in the big top. (6) using climbing irons? 21 22 21. Revise, in short. (5) 13. Change. (5) 22. Oily fruit. (5) 14. Find the answer to a problem. (5) Q. How is the permit-to-work telemess transferred? 23 23. Progression. (5) 17. Objected strenuously. (6) 24. Recess found in a church. (4) 19. Grass-like plant. (5) 24 25 Q. On receipt of a proof of disconnection, who shall 25. Estimate. (5) 20. Harsh. (5) personally carry out or directly supervise all 26 27 28 26. Malice. (5) 27. Act vainly. (5) 29. One who leads Moslems to pray. (4) 28. Jewelled headgear. (5) checks for absence of voltage and application of 29 30 31 32 33. Keep. (6) 30. One university faculty. (4) local earths? 33 34 35 34. Man-eating monster. (4) 31. Comfortable. (4) 36. Fruit with a hard shell. (3) 32. Settee. (4) Q. Who has most obligation to ensure that the 36 37. Communication by those who cannot 35. Type of bread or alcoholic drink. (3) telemess procedure is followed. The sender or speak. (4,8) 37 receiver?

Q. Where shall a Hold Off notice be used (not Crossword 2 placed)? 1234567 €200 to be Questions from Lorcan Fitzharris 89won! How to enter Please forward your answers in an email with ‘Safety Quiz’ in the subject line to [email protected], or alternatively post your entries to Safety Quiz, EM, ESB Corporate Communications, 27 10 11 12 Across Down Lower Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2, before Jan 15th. 13 14 1. Professional charge. (3) 1. Execution detail (6,5) 3. Letterkenny lies on this inlet. (5,6) 2. And so on. (2,6) Last issue’s winner: Billy McMullan. 8. Take back a statement or belief. (6) 3. Showing wrinkles. (5) 15 16 17 9. Biddable. (8) 4. Coffee beans which have been prepared 18 10. Observed. (5) for the percolator. (7) Crossword 1 October/November Crossword 2 October/November 11. Inclined at a great angle. (5) 5. Walks through water. (5) 2010 Solution 2010 Solution 19 20 13. Of greater age. (5) 6. Ogled. (6) Across 1. Sad 3. Undergrowth 8. Recede Across 1. Decapitate 6. Loch 10. Panda 21 22 23 15. Fight. (7) 7. But. (3) 9. Lancelot 10. Nadir 11. Stung 11. Endearing 12. Austere 15. Straw 16. Ladies outfit, ofter accessorised with 12. One who revels in celebrations. (5,6) 13. Caged 15. Oatmeal 16. Stencil 20. 17. Sari 18. Ovid 19. Oddly 21. Arraign pearls. (4,3) 13. Unlocks. (5) Tooth 21. Drops 23. Set up 24. Sentinel 23. Organ 24. Tara 25. Tile 26. Natal 24 25 20. Faint. (5) 14. Mountain ash. (5) 25. Terror 26. Try try again 27. Day 28. Segment 33. Vicarious 34. Laird 21. Put out a fire. (5) 17. Bestride. (8) Down 1. Springboard 2. Decadent 35. Rays 36. Government 23. Mass of eggs. (5) 18. Anxiety. (7) 3. Under 4. Enlarge 5. Races 6. Walrus Down 1. Dupe 2. Consuming passion 26 27 24. Set apart and consecrate. (8) 19. Miscellaneous. (6) 7. Hit 12. Guilty party 13. Chart 14. Ditch 3. Plant 4. Their 5. Tide 7. Osier 25. Sagacity. (6) 22. Surpass. (5) 17. Cantered 18. Foreleg 19. County 8. Highwayman 13. Ever 14. Estates 22. Skier 23. Stein 24. Sat 16. Now or never 20. Drainpipe 21. Entries for the crossword competitions to be received by Jan 26. Form of laundry. (3,8) 23. Catapult. (5) 15th marked ‘Crossword Competitions’, EM, ESB Corporate 27. Snake-like fish. (3) 24. Father. (3) Antlers 22. Gang 27. Tacky 29. Ensue Communications, 27 Lr. Fitzwilliam St., Dublin 2. 30. Melon 31. Logo 32. Edit

EM Competition Winners – for Dec 10/Jan 11 EM COMPETITION 1 Disclaimer: Classifieds are placed by individuals, the publisher Mary Cregan classifieds does not accept responsibility for errors or omissions. Sandra Boyle Bridie Kelly Adriana Bornemisova Nicola Scott Costa Blanca, Torrevieja, Mod Cons. Private access to River Erne near attractive given the current market. Contact Eileen at 087 612 1655 or [email protected] Playa Flamenca: Cavan Town. View on website www. Please phone Tony on 01 450 2715. or [email protected]. (Each of the five winners receives a pair of tickets to Winter letting in the Sun. Beautiful 2 bed semi riverviewlogcabin.com. Discount to ESB staff. Lanzarote Canaries ‘The Great Christmas Concert’ at the NCH) detached villa situated near Torrevieja, Contact John at 087 785 6566. House to let near Kenmare Beach/ golf holidays on Sunshine all year. Now that Ryanair EM COMPETITION 2 Alicante. 2 beds, garden, driveway and roof Failte Ireland approved**** 2-bed cottage near Costa Blanca, Spain. and Aer Lingus are both flying to Lanzarote Rose Nason terrace available from November onwards. France Port Bourgenay Templenoe village on 5% disc. ESB staff. Well equipped spacious Playa Blanca – Lovely 2 bedroom bungalow Near beaches, restaurants, bars etc. Close to 1-Bed apt (Ground Floor) – Sleeps 4/5 on 18 Ring of Kerry, in scenic rural setting house to rent, sleeps 6. Solarium and large with pool on site, tennis, beach and shops (An overnight stay at one of the luxurious O’Callaghan golf, tennis and lots of walks. The house is hole GC with 4 outdoor swimming pools and 2 overlooking Kenmare Bay. 5 miles from terraces. Communal pool. Aircon. 5/10 mins nearby €300 per week. Tel Brian on 087 629 Hotels in Dublin) situated in a quiet community of only 70 playgrounds. Very child friendly. 1 hr. from Kenmare. Nearby swimming, golf, walk beaches, restaurants, shops. Variety of 9752 EM COMPETITION 3 houses, wheelchair friendly. Aer Lingus and Nantes A’port. Option available to rent horse-riding, forest and hill walks. golf courses nearby. 15 mins Murcia airport/ Michael Garrett Ryan Air do both Alicante and Murcia airports. adjoining 1-bed apt also. Call 087 944 6194 Large garden with south facing patio. All mod 50 mins Alicante airport. Tea time Express bakery was established in Anne Bailey Enquiries to Colette [email protected]. cons. Wheelchair access. Sleeps 4/5. View on Pick ups arranged. Linens supplied. Brochure 1938 in the heart of James Joyce’s Dublin at Elizabeth Donohoe Tel: 01 841 2800 or 087 228 1027 Carpenter website: available. For further info contact 087 Ushers Quay. They are passionate about cake Roisin Graham for further information. Qualified carpenter with 10-years experience www.templenoeheights.com 2197543or email [email protected]. and are truly dedicated to baking the most Linda Shortt in roofing, first and second fixing, timber Phone Monica on 087 241 1346. delicious cakes. For Christmas they are Lodge for Rent flooring, slabbing and drylining, footpaths and Apartment to let in Costa Del Sol offering fantastic Christmas Puddings. The (Each of the five winners receives a copy of The Easy Beautiful Lodge for rent, Donabate, cobble stones. South of France (Carnon) Apt. to let 20 mins Airport overlooking cost of the 2lb pudding is €6.00 and they are Food Kid’s Cookbook Co. Dublin. Golf, Coastal walks, private access Free estimates given and photos of previous 2 Bed, 1st Floor Apt /Sea View Balcony. Close marina/beach. Next to restaurants, presented in beautifully festive packaging. For EM COMPETITION 4 to beach, 2km from train – easy access to city work and references supplied on request. No to shops, bars, beach, public transport, water supermarket, etc. 2 mins bus depot more information call 01 621 5202. Mary Smith centre. For details on accommodation, job too big or too small. Nationwide service. sports, golf, touring etc. All year round/Private and train station. AC, swimming pool, (The winner receives a free car service with Advance amenities and photos via email – contact Phone: Mark 087-9107242 parking. Pick-up can be arranged from TV and RTE1 and 2. 4 Single beds. Pitstop) Mairead 087 769 3440. 5% discount for ESB Montpellier (5km) or Carcassonne Airports. Perfect for golf, shopping, touring. employees Torrevieja – Spain Contact: Phone 087 227 9852. EM COMPETITION 5 3 bedroom, 2 bathrooms, apartment to rent. Tel: 0033 46786 1173 or Elaine Farrell Boat for sale Overlooking park, close to beach and shops. Email:[email protected] Marbella East – Apt to rent (The winner receives a copy of The Lonely Planet’s A Freeman 23 cruiser for sale, in good condition, English T.V., communal pool, rooftop solarium. South facing luxury 3-bed/2 bath Memorable Feast) 4 berth, hot and cold water, toilet, diesel €250 per week. Phone 086 355 0084. Albufeira, Portugal (sleeps 5) in quite area with sea and engine, shaft drive. Beautiful 2 bed/2 bath sleeps 6. mountain views, swimming pool. CROSSWORDS €200 SHOPPING VOUCHER Lying in Kilgarvin Lough Derg. Bungalow for sale, Clifden, Full AC, high standard, ground floor, private 4 min walk to Marbella’s Blue Flag beach. 5 J O’Dowd Price €9,500. Trailer available as extra. Co. Galway terraces/gardens, parking. min drive to Marbella central. Noreen O’Brien Tel. 087 266 5226. Bungalow for sale on secluded Quiet, mins to bars, restaurants, beach. Adj to golf courses, tennis club, shopping hilltop location of 1 acre in the Convenient to Golf and Water Parks. centres and a wide variety CROSSWORDS €100 SHOPPING VOUCHER Log Cabin Belturbet, Cavan town. Just minutes walk. Pick up can be arranged from Faro. Special of beaches and restaurants. James Walsh 2-bed log cabin with boat to rent. Sleeps 6. All From the town centre. Price offers to ESB staff. Contact Mary @ 01 276 1444/087 207 1742 Joan Burke 40 The Last Word Dec 2010 / Jan 2011 www.esb.ie/em Changing times

8 EM speaks to ESB Executive Director, Group Finance & Commercial, Donal Flynn, to explore why the Irish and UK markets are becoming more integrated

before beginning his career with cial officer of SSE Renewables until generating plant will be competing which the Government has set to General Electric in 1998. he joined ESB on August 16 last. with much larger operators in the be achieved by 2020. “We are al- “Ar t hur A ndersen gave me great His reasons for the move to ESB UK. As part of the ESB leadership ready well on the way to this”, he SB’s new Execu- training and I qualified as a char- are simple and straightforward. team I will have to play my part points out. “Between hydro and tive Director, Group Finance & tered accountant while working in “I do like the energy sector. It is in managing that change and help wind we have about 600 mega- ECommercial, Donal Flynn, is the Dublin and London practices increasingly important to society meet those challenges.” watts of capacity and we are adding every bit as much an energy pro- of the firm”, recalls Donal. “After and is going to undergo a lot of Donal is confident in ESB’s abil- more all the time. ESB was found- fessional as he is a finance expert that I spent five years with Gener- change in the next ten years. I was ity to meet these challenges. “If ed partly with the aim of achiev- having spent the majority of his al Electric in various finance roles keen to stay in the industry and you look at the history of ESB one ing energy self-sufficiency through career in the sector. He qualified around Europe including internal ESB is Ireland’s energy champion thing that stands out is its ability hydro and the peat stations. We’ve with a bachelor of commerce de- audit.” and it will be at the heart of all of to change and adapt to changing been in the renewables area since gree from NUIG in 1994 before After that he moved into the en- those changes in the coming years circumstances”, he says. “Going the very beginning and what was joining Arthur Andersen and tak- ergy sector proper when he joined and I want to be part of that.” back to the very beginning, the called self sufficiency in the 1920s ing a masters degree in account- Airtricity in 2003. He remained Donal sees his role, which en- Shannon scheme was revolution- and 1930s is now called security of ancy at UCD in 1995. He spent with the company after its takeover compasses all of ESB’s various ary. It changed the whole coun- supply. We’re very experienced in three years with Andersen by SSE and stayed as chief finan- divisions, as being to protect its try. ESB was made up of a group this area and it’s a challenge we are financial strength into the future. of very bright and very ambitious very comfortable with.” “ESB is 83 years old and has been people who drove that project to ESB itself is one of Ireland’s most self-financing throughout its entire completion. They were ambitious financially sound companies and history”, he points out. “There are for the organisation and the fu- has recently negotiated some €2.5 not many companies that can say ture of the country, they wanted billion in funding from a consorti- that. We have a very strong bal- to see progress and they achieved um of 15 banks on terms which are ance sheet and a key part of my job it. That same ethos and culture has comparable to other European util- is to protect that.” remained with ESB to this day. ities. This strength does not, how- He sees changes in the market Years later ESB developed one of ever, mean that the organisation is as the biggest challenge to be the world’s first combined cycle gas not sympathetic to those customers faced in the coming years. “The turbine (CCGT) generating stations affected by the recession. Irish and UK markets are becom- – it was also one of General Elec- “The extreme difficulties in the ing more and more integrated,” tric’s first. We used this experience economy have very real conse- he explains. “We already have the to become world leaders in the area quences for real people and we are Moyle interconnector; EirGrid is and this was what partly created aware of that”, says Donal Flynn. building another at the moment and ESB International.” “One of the advantages ESB has is there will probably be a third in the And this readiness to change re- that many of the people here who future. That will bring us to about mains part of the culture. “We are deal with our customers were here 1,500 megawatts in interconnector good at change. Look at our 2020 in the 1980s as well. They remem- capacity and make the Irish and Vision strategy, look at the huge ber the last recession and they UK markets start behaving as changes in the organisation over know what can happen. They one. This will mean signifi- the past 20 years or so. Back in the work very hard with customers to cant changes and chal- 1980s we had about 13,500 peo- avoid disconnections. We also try lenges for ESB. We ple working in ESB, we now have to make sure that when this does will change from around half that number and we are happen that the customers are re- being the domi- still delivering an excellent service connected as quickly as possible. nant player in to the public. One thing that really The ultimate answer to this will one market to impressed me when I came here be smart metering and we are one of many was the enormous depth of talent working with the Regulator on players in a in the organisation. The experience that.” much larger and professionalism of the people Looking beyond the recession market. We in ESB is invaluable. There is also Donal believes ESB has an excit- will be compet- a genuine commitment to public ing future in prospect. “Change is ing with much service. That’s what makes us so in our nature, the future will be larger energy good at change.” challenging but exciting and I’m supply compa- The other driver of change is of looking forward to being part of nies and our course the 40% renewables target it.” n For every questionnaire returned is donating €2 to ElectricAid. To show our appreciation for sharing your opinion, by responding to this survey will automatically enter you into a draw to win an amazing break at The Silver Tassie Hotel if not using internal mail place stamp here

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Why not enjoy relaxation time in our The perfect gift for any loved one, So, for Christmas, select hotel’s vouchers Seascape Spa and let us wash away Parents, the in-laws or a special gift are the perfect Gift… all your stresses with one of our many for your other Half, the vouchers can treatments including our specialty be used for a romantic Dinner for two And starting from only 50 euro per voucher, Seaweed baths or perhaps have your to a relaxing Spa Treatment or for are wonderful value too. hair styled in our Atomic Hair Design, that really special Gift a well deserved just two of the many ways to relax at break away at a Select Hotel. Make Book online today at selecthotels.ie Competitions ❑ More ❑ Less ❑ Same is well presented and laid out Reader Survey – DecEMBER 2010 Image inbox ❑ More ❑ Less ❑ Sam ❑ Agree ❑ Disagree Food ❑ More ❑ Less ❑ Same (1) What gender are you? Electricity Abroad ❑ More ❑ Less ❑ Same I enjoy reading and I look to it (7) What prompts you to read ? ❑ Male Crosswords ❑ More ❑ Less ❑ Same ❑ Agree ❑ Disagree ❑ I always read it ❑ Female Gardening ❑ More ❑ Less ❑ Same ❑ I receive the e-zine version I like the design of ❑ Because it’s from ESB (2) What age group do you fall into? (12) What do you like about ? ❑ Agree ❑ Disagree ❑ I flipped through it and I found some- ❑ Under 30 thing I liked ❑ 30-40 keeps me up-to-date on company news ❑ The cover image drew me in ❑ 40-50 ❑ Agree ❑ Disagree ❑ The highlighted articles on the cover ❑ 50-60 ❑ Over 60 is representative of various staff needs (8) Do you plan to read the next issue ❑ Agree ❑ Disagree of ? (3) What area do you live in? ❑ Yes ❑ No ❑ Connacht (13) What do you dislike about ? It is important to have well-known contributors ❑ Ulster ❑ Agree ❑ Disagree (9) Where do you read ? ❑ Leinster (excluding Dublin) ❑ At the office ❑ Dublin is useful for my job ❑ At home ❑ Munster ❑ Agree ❑ Disagree ❑ On the go- the mobile version ❑ Elsewhere ❑ I read the digital version on-line (15) How would you improve ? ❑ Other (4) What division do you work in? (14) Do you agree or disagree with the ❑ Corporate Centre following statements? (10) What would you rate out of 10 ❑ Networks is well written as an overall publication? ❑ Energy Solutions ❑ Agree ❑ Disagree ❑ 1 ❑ 2 ❑ 3 ❑ 4 ❑ 5 ❑ Services ❑ 6 ❑ 7 ❑ 8 ❑ 9 ❑ 10 ❑ ESB International is easy to read (16) Are you aware of the new Corpo- ❑ Generation Operations ❑ Agree ❑ Disagree rate Communications Update that is (11) What would you like to see more, ❑ Retired being issued on esbnet? less or the same amount of? ❑ Other has excellent photography ❑ Yes ❑ No Business News ❑ More ❑ Less ❑ Same ❑ Agree ❑ Disagree Industry News ❑ More ❑ Less ❑ Same (5) What other magazines/ News about ESB staff ❑ More ❑ Less ❑ Same newspapers do you read regularly? Sustainability items ❑ More ❑ Less ❑ Same Name Location Contact Number Features ❑ More ❑ Less ❑ Same Health items ❑ More ❑ Less ❑ Same PLEASE NOTE: This can also be filled in online at ESBEMsurvey on ESBNet 6) Do you have internet/ email access Travel ❑ More ❑ Less ❑ Same €2 will go to ElectricAid for every returned completed survey – whether or not name and contact details are at work? Finance items ❑ More ❑ Less ❑ Same supplied. However, please provide the above information if you wish to be included in the prize draw. ❑ yes ❑ No