Electric Mail > General > October / November 2009

National Partnership Meeting

The 5th annual Partnership Conference took place on Thursday, September 17th at the Heritage Hotel in Portlaoise. In line with such conferences many of the participants travelled to the venue by making the most of sustainable means of travel.

The conference was opened by Executive Director HR, Luke Shinnors, who emphasised that Partnership needed a constant energy and enthusiasm from everyone to keep it effective.

Chief Executive, Padraig McManus, spoke of the various issues facing ESB at this time – Competition in Generation and Supply, the Transmission assets and the need to address the Pension issue. He also reminded all present that ESB was not insulated from the recession. “The impact is going to hit us all and businesses will have to reshape,” he said. Demand for electricity is down by 7%, new plant by external players is coming on stream and this will have an impact on ESB he stated. The Chief Executive also pointed out that competition was now intense in the industrial and commercial sector and margins were tight across the sector. The issue of competing was, however, he said a positive thing for staff in ESB who have risen to major challenges before.

Davy Naughton, Secretary ESB Group of Unions as part of his address said that Partnership has developed considerably. Davy was later joined by Kieran Sweeney who gave a report on the current status of the Pension Scheme Review and an overview of the discussions currently taking place. They said all parties were committed to working together to reach a solution which must be sustainable and affordable in the long term.

Ann Lynch and Pat Nolan from the Billing & Payments Partnership Group in Customer Supply and Bill Ebrill and Dave Miller from the Telecoms Partnership Group gave presentations on how the Groups are working in their respective areas. This was followed by a lively Q&A session.

The Guest Speaker in the afternoon session was the highly respected Dr. Maureen Gaffney who gave an uplifting talk on Positive v Negative influences and how it affected all aspect of our lives. This was followed by an update on our sustainability performance by Executive Director Sustainability, John Campion. The tremendous achievements and culture Enviroment Team.change in the ‘Sustainability agenda’ was warmly welcomed and recognised by John and his team as well as all present.

Joyce Farrell, Equality & Diversity Manager, briefed on the current status of the E&D Strategy and reiterated the importance of the partnership groups in helping that plan. “We see it as a vital link and connection with the business lines,” she said and thanked senior management for their support.

Colm Smyth from Group Partnership completed the presentations with an overview of the Review and the progress being made at local level in the various partnership groups.

In closing the conference, Luke Shinnors, said he was privileged at being part of the volunteer group who travelled recently to Teshie and encouraged the Partnership group to continue their support of ElectricAid and its work.

A photo of Kieran Sweeney updated the attendees on the current status of the Pension Scheme Review.

Pictured: Kieran Sweeney updated the attendees on the current status of the Pension Scheme Review.

A photo ofPadraig McManus, and Secretary Group of Unions, Davy Naughton, took the opportunity to make a special presentation to Denis Blanch

Pictured: The Chief Executive, Padraig McManus, and Secretary Group of Unions, Davy Naughton, took the opportunity to make a special presentation to Denis Blanch, Mediator Industrial Council for his many years of support to partnership in ESB.

A photo of Michael Murray, Josephine Marley and Tom Flynn, Networks

Pictured: Michael Murray, Josephine Marley and Tom Flynn, Networks Enviroment Team.



		National Partnership Meeting The 5th annual Partnership Conference took place on Thursday, September 17th at the Heritage Hotel in Portlaoise. In line with such conferences many of the participants travelled to the venue by making the most of sustainable means of travel. The conference was opened by Executive Director HR, Luke Shinnors, who emphasised that Partnership needed a constant energy and enthusiasm from everyone to keep it effective. Chief Executive, Padraig McManus, spoke of the various issues facing ESB at this time – Competition in Generation and Supply, the Transmission assets and the need to address the Pension issue. He also reminded all present that ESB was not insulated from the recession. “The impact is going to hit us all and businesses will have to reshape,” he said. Demand for electricity is down by 7%, new plant by external players is coming on stream and this will have an impact on ESB he stated. The Chief Executive also pointed out that competition was now intense in the industrial and commercial sector and margins were tight across the sector. The issue of competing was, however, he said a positive thing for staff in ESB who have risen to major challenges before. Davy Naughton, Secretary ESB Group of Unions as part of his address said that Partnership has developed considerably. Davy was later joined by Kieran Sweeney who gave a report on the current status of the Pension Scheme Review and an overview of the discussions currently taking place. They said all parties were committed to working together to reach a solution which must be sustainable and affordable in the long term. Ann Lynch and Pat Nolan from the Billing & Payments Partnership Group in Customer Supply and Bill Ebrill and Dave Miller from the Telecoms Partnership Group gave presentations on how the Groups are working in their respective areas. This was followed by a lively Q&A session. The Guest Speaker in the afternoon session was the highly respected Dr. Maureen Gaffney who gave an uplifting talk on Positive v Negative influences and how it affected all aspect of our lives. This was followed by an update on our sustainability performance by Executive Director Sustainability, John Campion. The tremendous achievements and culture Enviroment Team.change in the ‘Sustainability agenda’ was warmly welcomed and recognised by John and his team as well as all present. Joyce Farrell, Equality & Diversity Manager, briefed on the current status of the E&D Strategy and reiterated the importance of the partnership groups in helping that plan. “We see it as a vital link and connection with the business lines,” she said and thanked senior management for their support. Colm Smyth from Group Partnership completed the presentations with an overview of the Review and the progress being made at local level in the various partnership groups. In closing the conference, Luke Shinnors, said he was privileged at being part of the volunteer group who travelled recently to Teshie and encouraged the Partnership group to continue their support of ElectricAid and its work.		Pictured: Kieran Sweeney updated the attendees on the current status of the Pension Scheme Review. Pictured: The Chief Executive, Padraig McManus, and Secretary Group of Unions, Davy Naughton, took the opportunity to make a special presentation to Denis Blanch, Mediator Industrial Council for his many years of support to partnership in ESB. Pictured: Michael Murray, Josephine Marley and Tom Flynn, Networks Enviroment Team.