Zero Waste Alliance Ireland is an Irish NGO which advocates a "cradle to cradle" approach, the circular economy, and ensuring that anything we produce or import can be repaired, re-used, recycled or composted at the end of its life. Whatever we use should be designed on this principle, so that all discarded goods, devices, materials, etc., can re-enter the technical cycle through re-manufacture; or, if made of organic materials, can re-enter the Earth's natural systems. Therefore, in the longer term, no need for landfills or incineration.

In 1977 I began practicing as an environmental consultant, and was the first to become established in Ireland. I have more than 40 years experience as an Independent Professional Consultant working in the fields of environmental and sustainability policy; environmental impact assessment; natural resources evaluation and management, aquaculture issues; marine and freshwater pollution; oil spill contingency planning, prevention, control, and clean-up; preparation of waste management plans; evaluation of landfill sites; environmental and ecological planning; eco-auditing; institutional strengthening and capacity building in relation to environmental activities, development of public participation in environmental decision-making, and rural development issues. I have provided specialist evidence at oral hearings and High Court cases dealing with existing and proposed landfill sites and other waste management facilities throughout Ireland.By any standards, this is an incredible wealth of experience; and though I have operated the micro-business of Environmental Management Services for some four decades, I remain an independent scientist, committed to the principles of scientific enquiry, sceptical of any data which is unproven, and believing in the scientific approach to social, planning and environmental questions. I believe that addressing climate change is the greatest challenge facing humanity, and the mitigation of its effects can be resolved only by cooperation, innovation and sharing; and not if competition, growth and consumption are allowed to proceed unchecked and unhindered. The UN Sustainable Development Goals provide a roadmap of what needs to be done.

Former chair of the Environmental Executive Committee; currently vice-chair of the Westmeath Association of An Taisce; member of the Council of An Taisce; founder member of the An Taisce Climate Committee.

Providing technical, strategic and planning advice to Irish Solar Innovations.

Involved in the initial development of the college's first course on sustainability (MSc in Sustainable Development) from the mid 1980s. Then developed and taught modules "Introduction to Sustainability", "Sustainable Waste Management", "Rural Development and Agriculture from a Sustainability Perspective", "Coastal and Marine Resources", "Mediation in Environmental Dispute Resolution", etc.

My work as a Science Policy Analyst with the National Science Council (NSC) gave me responsibility (as an Irish delegate to the EU) to participate in negotiations between Government departments, the European Commission, environmental NGOs and other organisations. I represented Ireland as delegate and technical adviser at the Paris Convention on Marine Pollution from Land Based Sources, and assisted in the drafting of the Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage from Offshore Exploration and Exploitation. I also provided advice to Government on technical and legal aspects of the Marpol Convention and Annexes, the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund Convention, and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Responsible for developing the Company's capability as an environmental consultancy and for carrying out a wide range of environmental projects.

I worked for this Sea Fisheries Committee as a Sea Fishery Officer, Biologist and Pollution Control Officer in North West England and Wales where I was responsible for coastal pollution control and sea fisheries management on 720 km of highly varied coastline. This was my first real job after graduating from college and doing two years of postgraduate research and teaching !