This year’s theme is Building Ireland’s Business Networks – Driving Competitive Advantage. The conference will investigate the role that engineers play in delivering public services and building the infrastructure necessary to facilitate business on a nationwide scale, as well as allowing the free movement, of people, goods and services. Even within the context of tight fiscal constraints, investment in our infrastructure networks has to be prioritised. The conference will invite speakers to comment on how investment in the greater Dublin area’s infrastructure benefits the country as a whole and will explore how this investment is perceived by those outside of the capital. The speaker line-up will feature: ·        Michael Phillips, city engineer, Dublin City Council and Engineers Ireland President ·        Michael Crawley, deputy chief executive, Ryanair ·        Michael Crothers, MD, Shell E&P Ireland ·        Fintan Slye, CEO, Eirgrid ·        Laure Burke, director general, EPA ·        Eamonn O’Reilly, chief executive, Dublin Port ·        Naoise Ó Muirí, Lord Mayor of Dublin ·        Ian Brannigan, CEO of the Western Development Commission ·        John Ahern, general manager, Indaver Ireland ·        Brian Brennan, MD, Veolia Transdev Ireland ·        Brendan Lynch, MD, Group Technology, Eircom Ltd The conference content will focus on water – specifically the new role of Irish Water, as well as Ireland’s communications network and the impact of the rollout of 4G in allowing nationwide broadband access. Speakers from Ireland’s leading transport companies will examine the role of ports, roads, rail and airports in providing the backbone of Ireland’s business infrastructure and the conference programme finishes with insights from key decision makers in Ireland’s energy distributors and generators. The one-day conference will climax with dinner in the Clyde Court Hotel, just minutes from its sister hotel, the Ballsbridge Hotel. Registration is now open and an ‘early bird’ rate is available for both members and now-members, along with a special concession rate. To learn more about the speakers and the venue, visit www.engineersirelandconference.ie and register your attendance. A special room rate is available until 25 April in the Ballsbridge Hotel for conference delegates.