A SEMINAR SPONSORED BY THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION REPRESENTATION IN IRELAND
Friday 26th October 2018 • The Dome, Castlecomer Discovery Park, Castlecomer
New Opportunities for Rural Areas
Friday 26th October 2018 • The Dome, Castlecomer Discovery Park, Castlecomer
If you want to hear the latest developments at European level on renewable energy, energy efficiency, bioenergy and biobased enterprises and to see what opportunities exist, then this event is a must. Phil Hogan, Commissioner for Agriculture & Rural Development, will deliver the keynote address and chair the panel discussions.
The Event is FREE of Charge. However, pre-registration is necessary at: www.discoverypark.ie/booking
Speakers
Phil Hogan has served as EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development since November 2014. His policy priorities include modernising and simplifying the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), strengthening European farmers’ market resilience and their position on the food chain, and developing new export markets for EU agri-food products. Commissioner Hogan grew up on a farm in rural Kilkenny. From 1989 until he became Commissioner, he represented the Carlow/ Kilkenny constituency in Dáil Éireann. Between 2011 and 2014, he served as Minister for the Environment and Local Government. Prior to his entry into politics, he established and subsequently directed an insurance and real estate business. He also managed the family farm between 1981and 1983. He is a graduate of University College Cork, with a BA in Economics and Geography.
Tom Nolan, Ormonde Organics. Ormonde is Ireland’s largest producer of renewable biogas, powering a greener world by converting organic waste from every sector into power, heat, fuel and soil amendment products using safe, natural bioscience. The company was founded in 1993 by Martin Morrissey and the head office is located in Portlaw, Co. Waterford. Ormonde was one of the first bioscience companies in Ireland to offer a complete environmental management service. Clients include Irish and multinational companies together and local authorities. Ormonde processes c.100,000 tonnes of organic materials at its anaerobic digestion, composting and thermal drying facilities. With a strategy of valorising organic materials, Ormonde continues to pursue growth opportunities for its business in the circular economy.
Paddy Phelan has been Manager of 3cea (formerly Carlow Kilkenny Energy Agency) since 2012. The 3cea promotes, develops and implements Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy projects that deliver long term sustainability to the local economy. The 3CEA is working in partnership with local authorities in Carlow, Wexford and Kilkenny to implement the Energy Map (ISO 50001) energy management programme, and with local rural development bodies to deliver sustainable community development projects.
Professor Kevin O’Connor, Professor Kevin O’ Connor is director of BEACON bioeconomy research centre. He is also a Principal investigator in the UCD Earth Institute and a member of the School of biomolecular and biomedical science at University College Dublin (UCD), Ireland. Professor O’ Connor is also chairperson of the scientific committee for the European public private partnership Biobased Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU), a member of the European Commission biobased products expert group and a previous member of the European Commission committee entitled the “lead market initiative for Bio-based products (2008-2011).”
Ciaran Mangan was a research biochemist with Unilever research UK, and Battelle Contract Research Geneva, before joining the Research General Directorate of the European Commission in 1990. Since then he has managed Agro-Industrial research and innovation programmes, resulting projects, and related policy development, over seven different Framework Programmes.
Agenda
Registration from 1.30pm Tea / Coffee and Sandwiches on Arrival at 1.30pm
2.00pm Welcome Address Cllr John Brennan, Member of Kilkenny County Council
2.10pm Keynote Address Phil Hogan, Commissioner for Agriculture & Rural Development
2.30pm First Session Chaired by Commissioner Phil Hogan
2.35pm First Presentation Paddy Phelan, 3CEA, “Future Energy Potential in Agriculture.”
3.00pm Second Presentation Tom Nolan, Ormonde Organics “Bio digestors in rural Ireland.”
3.25pm Panel Discussion Q&A 3.45pm Short Break Tea / Coffee
4.00pm Second Session Chaired by Commissioner Phil Hogan
4.05pm First Presentation Professor Kevin O’Connor, UCD “Building a Bioeconomy in Ireland.”
4.30pm Second Presentation Ciaran Mangan, DG RTD, European Commission. “Biobased industries and Biorefineries: Potential opportunities for farmers and food producers.”
4.55pm Panel Discussion Q&A 5.15pm Closing Address Commissioner Phil Hogan
5.25pm Event Close
