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Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland
Water Boarding

Who are Irish Water's board and how much do they earn?

This much.

THE SUBJECT OF pay in Irish Water has been headline news for some time.

However, the subject of who actually runs the semi-state company is less well-known.

According to Irish Water:

“There are currently nine Directors (two Executive Directors and seven Non-Executive Directors) who have been appointed to the Board of Irish Water by Ervia and these appointments were approved in advance by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Minister for Communications Energy and Natural Resources.

“The fee payable to the Chairman of Irish Water is €30,000 per annum and the fee payable to the Non-Executive Directors is €15,000 per annum, as approved by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and also in line with Board remuneration in the semi-state sector.

“The two Executive Directors are not in receipt of any fees and one of the Non-Executive Directors has waived fees.”

So, who are the board?

Rose Hynes, Chairperson (right of pic)

Bord Gais Wind Farm. Minis Photocall Ireland Photocall Ireland

Hynes is the chairperson of the board. She was appointed in 2013, having been chair of the board of Bord Gais since 2009. She is a lawyer, chairperson of Shannon Airport Authority plc since December 2012 and a director of Total Produce plc. She has sat on the boards of Fyffes plc, Aer Lingus Group plc and Concern.

Michael McNicholas, CEO Bord Gáis

New Water Meters Laura Hutton / Photocall Ireland Laura Hutton / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

McNicholas was appointed to the Irish Water Board in July 2013, having been appointed CEO of Bord Gáis in May 2013. Prior to joining Bord Gáis he held the positions of CEO and Chief Operating Officer during his time at NTR, an energy investment firm. He worked with ESB for 26 years and is a chartered member of Engineers Ireland and has completed the Advanced Management Programme at Harvard University.

Dr. John Tierney, Managing Director Irish Water

New Water Meters Laura Hutton / Photocall Ireland Laura Hutton / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

Tierney was appointed in April of last year, having been manager of Dublin and Galway cities, as well as Fingal. He holds a BA and an MA in Public Management from the Institute of Public Administration and a Doctorate in Governance from Queens University Belfast. He was chair of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority.

Margaret Rae, Director

Rae is a Research Fellow at Ryan Institute NUI Galway. She was previously quality manager at NUI Galway, principal scientist at Waters Technologies Ireland Limited and a researcher at National Microelectronics Research Centre/Tyndall National Institute. She is a Doctor of Philosophy, holds a Master of Science in Environmental Impact Assessment, a diploma in Water and Environmental Management, was awarded a Chartered Institute of Water & Environmental Management and holds a Bachelor of Science Honours in Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Regina Finn, Director

Finn is currently a Director of Lucerna Parters – a UK based consultancy providing public policy and regulatory advice, and Non-Executive Chair of Mutual Energy Limited – an energy company based in Belfast. She was was the Chief Executive of Ofwat, the independent economic regulator and competition authority for the water and wastewater sectors in England and Wales.

Billy Moore, Director

Moore is an Eircom manager and a Member of Communications Workers Union. He has worked with Eircom for over 32 years and also spent 5 years in the UK working in the telecommunications industry.

Jacqueline Hall, Director

Hall is the Principal of Partners in Communication, a business consultancy specialising in public affairs and “stakeholder communications”. She holds a BA in History and History of Art from University College Dublin, a Graduateship in Marketing by the Marketing Institute of Ireland and a Graduate Diploma in Corporate Governance at the Michael Smurfit Business School

Brian McKeown, Director

McKeown is a Civil Engineer graduate from University College Dublin. He worked as an engineer in Dublin City Council’s Water Services Division for nearly 40 years.

Coleman Sheehy, Director

Sheehy is involved in property investment and development, having worked with Sherry Fitzgerald and in America.

Read: State of the Nation: Why Irish Water bonuses have TDs worried about their seats

Read: Changes in Irish Water management on the way in ‘weeks’ — Minister

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