Expert Talks

Geraldine Herbert is a journalist, columnist, and Motoring Editor at the Sunday Independent, making history as Ireland’s first female motoring editor of a national newspaper. With over two decades of expertise, she is a respected industry voice, regularly contributing to RTÉ, Virgin Media, and the BBC on motoring and consumer affairs. As founder and editor of Wheels for Women - Ireland’s first automotive platform for women - she champions a more inclusive, sustainable, and safety-focused approach to mobility.  

Doyle's Garage, established in 1950, operates as a franchised automotive dealership specializing in new and used vehicle sales and service. As main dealers for MG Motors, GWM Ora, and Subaru, the company offers a diverse portfolio of vehicle options, including a growing selection of electric vehicles, demonstrating their commitment to the evolving automotive landscape. Founded by Jack Doyle in 1950, the business has expanded significantly over the years and is now in its third generation. 

The company maintains a state-of-the-art service centre to support its vehicle sales operations which include a CVRT test centre, crash repair centre and offers 24/7 breakdown recovery. Doyle's Garage emphasizes comprehensive customer service and quality vehicle offerings. The business has now expanded and built a brand new second showroom and service centre for our MG Dealership which is located on the Old Dublin Road, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, and is now the home to MG for the South East.

General Manager of Connollys Volvo Galway. I am with the Connollys Group 4 years, we took on the Volvo franchise for Galway in January 2023. I have been in the Motor Trade since 1996 working in different dealerships including Skoda, Ford, Nissan. Still not sure what I want to do when I grow up!

As Brand Manager of BYD Cork part of the MSL Motor Group, I am passionate about driving the future of sustainable mobility. Our dealership is proud to be the Munster regional winner of the ZEVI EV Dealer of the Year 2025, a testament to our commitment to clean energy and innovation.

Alison Donnellan is a Programme Executive on the Business Supports team at SEAI. Alison works with SMEs across all sectors to support them to become energy efficient and decarbonise their business. This support includes education, training, engagement and financial supports.

Ann-Marie is the Programme Manager for International Energy Research at the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). As part of this role, Ann-Marie acts as a National Contact Point for Horizon Europe Cluster 5 Energy. Ann-Marie holds a degree and masters in business, as well as a Diploma in Management Practice and a Postgraduate Diploma in Economic Policy. She has extensive experience of working in the energy sector, and of both national and EU funding mechanisms. Ann-Marie currently manages engagement in international energy research activity through Horizon Europe Cluster 5 and the International Energy Agency Technology Collaboration Programmes (TCPs).

Please email Ann-Marie with your queries related to Energy topics at [email protected]. 

Eóin Cullen is a Programme Executive on the Commercial Retrofit team within the Business Supports Department within SEAI . Eóin manages the Non-Domestic Microgen Scheme (NDMG) which offers applicants a grant towards the installation of a Solar PV system. This scheme is open to businesses, public sector bodies, farmers, community sector, non profit organisations and schools

Peter is the owner of Poppies Cafe located in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow. Peter along with his wife Fiona run their business with sustainability in mind which resulted in them winning the SEAI Energy Award SME Award in 2024 and has evolved the business into becomming a leader in sustainable hospitality. 

Ian McGuinness is a highly experienced business executive with a robust background in both the Irish SME sector and multinational corporations, particularly across Europe, the US, and Asia. With over 30 years in operations, policy, and business development, Ian has built a diverse career spanning from strategic leadership roles in EMEA to extensive responsibilities across the Asia-Pacific region from North Korea to New Zealand.

Ian holds degrees in Mathematics and Engineering from Trinity College Dublin and an MBA from the Smurfit Business School at University College Dublin, completed in 1992. Starting his career with Siemens AG, Ian spent five years in various international assignments, including three years in Asia, one year as a resident in China, and another in Taiwan.  After returning to Ireland to complete an MBA at UCD, Ian continued his international career with Glen Dimplex and then worked as a business consultant before joining Microsoft in 1997

At Microsoft he played pivotal roles in EMEA customer service, channel development, and as Director of Small Business Operations for EMEA, managing 209 distributors across 61 countries. He was instrumental in the integration of Microsoft’s OEM business from the US to Ireland, which added approximately €1Bn to the Irish P&L, and led the M&A integration of Navision and Great Plains into Microsoft’s Irish operations. 
Roganstown has been owned and farmed by the McLoughlin family since 1916.  Joe McLoughlin is Ian’s stepfather.  

In the mid 90’s, whilst working for Microsoft 1990’s Ian developed a plan to maximise the 350+ acres of land, and with the go ahead from Fingal County Council, began to roll out the plan to see Roganstown into a new era. In 2004, Ian left Microsoft to concentrate full time on the new business.

Roganstown Golf and Country Club now trades profitably and employs 80 people, having navigated through challenging economic periods from the early start up days in 2004 to the crash in 2008 through COVID.  With two golf courses, a leisure centre with gym and pool and a 52 bedroom hotel complete with bars, restaurant and conference and banqueting facilities suitable for corporate events and weddings, Roganstown Hotel & Country Club has become a desirable destination for locals and visitors alike.  
A commitment to sustainability at Roganstown has brought more than just jobs to the local area but enhanced the environment with green practices such as the planting of over 65,000 over the past 20 years. Ian has realised his ambition of bringing Roganstown into the 21st century and is a valued local business person, winner of the Fingal Businessperson of the Year 2024, and has further ambitions to see Roganstown continue to evolve.
 

Emer Barry is the Programme Manager for Electric Vehicles and Demand Generation at the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).  This programmes aim is to support and progress the electrification and ultimately decarbonisation of the transport sector in Ireland. The programme includes grants for the purchase of new electric vehicles, an EV dealership awards scheme and an EV commercial fleet supports.

Shane Prendergast is the Programme Manager for EV Charging Infrastructure & Policy, Mobility and Smart Networks. Shane has worked in SEAI for over 7 years and his experience spans numerous sectors including EVs, EVs charging solutions, vehicle homologation, active and e-mobility, grid innovations, smart and flexible energy. Shane has been central to and continues to drive the electrification and decarbonisation of transport and energy sectors.