Public speaker with excellent verbal & written communication skills.
Proven leadership & inter personnel skills in people, process and change management.
Senior planner with 20 years technical & administrative experience who successfully discharges the statutory planning function in Louth County Council and previously in the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA).
Senior manager and team leader with a proven record in performance management and the delivery of operation efficiencies.
A team player and a committed member of the senior management team of the DDDA and the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) working with colleagues in strategic business planning and the resolution of complex legacy issues.
Proven analytical skills developed in report writing, the preparation of policy documents and in the preparation of plans.
Network builder evidenced in strong working relationships with elected members in Louth County Council, the Board & Council of the DDDA, the Board of the AAI and with external stakeholders.
Proven record in customer service through co-ordinated rapid response to enquiry, detailed technical guidance, achieved deadlines & resolved customer complaints.
Highly skilled negotiator & stakeholder manager through the medium of plan preparation and the negotiation of planning gain in development management.

Career Experience

Planning Consultant November 2019 – present
I am presently engaged on a project by project basis in plan making, development management and report writing. In collaboration with LOCI, an urban design and planning practice, I am preparing an urban regeneration strategy for Enniscorthy, County Wexford, as a pathfinder project to promote the implementation of ‘Town Centre First’ policy, launched in February, 2022 by the Irish Government.
Senior Planner (Head of FuncQon) Louth Co Co May 2016 – 2019
Key Achievements Technical
• The preparation and launch of the Westgate Vision (WGV June 201ti) an integrated urban regeneration strategy to guide town centre renewal and target investment within vacant and under-utilised lands in the historic town centre in Drogheda. WGV has secured funding from the Urban Regeneration & Development Fund (URDF).
• The designation of Drogheda and Dundalk as regional growth centres following consultation and submission to the NPF (Project Ireland 2040) and the RSES. Key Achievements Management & Administration
• Achieved greater efficiencies through re-organisation of resources, prioritisation of business objectives and a focus on performance management.
• Strategic alignment of planning team resources with projected plan making in the preparation of a 3-year forward planning work programme. •
• Improved and stream lined customer service with a focus on external communication including rapid response, Q & A and face to face engagement.
• Better internal communication with structured group planning team and monthly planning management meetings with agreed agendas and tracked action lists.
Head of Operations Adoption Authority of Ireland May 2013 – May 2016
Key Achievements Management & Administration AAI
• Secretary to the Board of the AAI (a quasi judicial body) successfully discharging Board administration & corporate governance, including briefing of legal advisors.
• The re-configuration of the 4 operational units (20 staff) of the AAI re-aligning staff resources with statutory requirements, including the regulation of adoption agencies.
• The establishment of a robust corporate governance framework including the establishment of an audit & risk commi5ee and the preparation of risk registers.
• The establishment of a finance and HR unit to further the core Corporate Plan objective to achieve administrative independence from the parent Department.
Senior Planner Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) Dec 2007- May 2013
Key Achievements Technical DDDA
• Delivery of fast track development consent by my team making clear and timed recommendation to the DDDA board on section 25 decision making. Objective adjudication, consistent & accurate recommendation & equity of process for all applicants in Section 25 certification is evidenced in audit by peer review & by the Comptroller & Auditor General.
• The preparation of the Draa DDDA Poolbeg Planning Scheme.
• Co-ordination of the DDDA & Dublin City Council (DCC) inputs in the preparation of the Draa North Lotts & Grand Canal Dock SDZ Planning Scheme.
Key Achievements Management & Administration DDDA
• Member of the DDDA management team who successfully resolved legacy issues while instigating organisation downsize & re-structure in a highly public environment.
• Establishment of an independent planning funcQon, directly reporting to the CEO & the parent government Department, subsequent to a corporate governance review identifying a conflict of interest between the development and adjudicative functions.
• Preparation & implementation of an improved DDDA planning framework subsequent to an adverse High Court judgment (Finlay-Geoghegan) & peer review. The framework facilitated innovation, in the participation of third parties in Section 25 adjudication, while providing a documented suite of governance and planning procedures.
Senior Executive Planner, Executive & Assistant Planner Dublin City Council 1998-2007
Key Achievements Technical / Management & Administrative
• Team leader guiding interdisciplinary planner / architect team to successfully implement the North-East-Inner-City & O’Connell Street integrated area plans prioritising tax designated sites as engines of area-based regeneration.
• Successful project management of development proposals from pre-application to determination within a dynamic central business district, the IFSC & inner suburbs.
• Establishment & roll out of the Planning InformaQon Office, a dedicated technical advisory service, for Councillors, TD’s, Senators & the public (2005-2007).
• Technical adviser to the Project Management Unit of the Housing Department engaged in the regeneration of public lands & provision of social housing (2006).
• Adjudication on complex planning applications including the redevelopment of the Hugh Lane Gallery & the Ilac Shopping Centre.

Earlier Career (1996-2000)
Manahan & Associates, Dawson Street, Planning Consultant 1997-98
• The preparation of the Blanchardstown Integrated Area Plan. DIT, (Dublin Institute of Technology), Rathmines, Lecturer 1998-00
• Environmental Management part-time studio master & lecturer. NorDubCo, (The North Dublin Development CoaliQon), Planner 1997
• Preparation and publication of ‘Towards a Vision for North Dublin 1998. Ciaran Cuffe, Architects 1996
• Preparation for An Taisce of a report on Metro and Luas options for Dublin.

Education
• Master of Regional and Urban Planning, University College Dublin 1994-96
• Master of Arts (History), Dublin University (Trinity College) 1990-94
• IPA (CPD) Public administration and governance 2013-16
• MERIDIAN Leadership programme, Common Purpose Ireland 2015-16

Other Relevant Information
• IPI (the Irish Planning Institute) Honour Secretary (March 2022-present)
• IPI Council Member and Chair of the Policy & Research Sub-Commi5ee (2020-April 2022)
• Editor of Pleanail (2019) the journal of the IPI