|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The publication of this book would have been impossible without two things. One was the work that each of the authors put into writing the very careful, detailed papers it contains. In many cases these go far beyond what those who wrote them were able to say in their 20- or 30- minute slots at the conference on which the book is based. Feasta is very grateful indeed for the trouble they took. Their names are listed in the contributors' section along with those of Gerard O'Neill, Euan Baird, Harry J. Longwell and David Morris who generously allowed us to fill gaps in the book's coverage by reprinting material they had written for use elsewhere. David Morris was, in fact, hoping to speak at the conference but we were unable to get sponsorship for him to travel from the US. We are also grateful to Sunny Lewis, Editor in Chief, Environment News Service, for allowing us to reprint two news items his service carried earlier this year. On a personal level, the editor would like to express his thanks to John Jopling for his sound advice and also for his meticulous help with the proof-reading, to Kevin Healion for his work in assembling the articles in Part Seven, and to B9 Energy for wind and biomass illustrations.
Besides authors, the book's other essential ingredient was money. The initial grant for its publication was secured from the Green Group in the European Parliament by Nuala Ahern MEP long before most of its contents had been written and, when it became apparent that it was going to be roughly twice as long as originally envisaged, Sustainable Energy Ireland provided a matching sum to enable printing to go ahead. We are very grateful to both, particularly as neither donor attempted to influence the content or coverage of the book in any way. Indeed, the opinions the writers express - including those of the editor - may or may not be shared by any of the organisations whose logos decorate this page. The two grants will enable some copies of the book to be distributed free and others to be sold at a price most people should be able to afford.
Since this book would never have appeared had the conference not taken place, Feasta would also like to thank those who made that possible. In particular, we acknowledge the financial help we received from ESB Independent Energy, Airtricity, GE Wind and Comhar, the National Sustainable Development Partnership.
Equally vital were the contributions made by our partners in organising the event - the Tipperary Institute and the Renewable Energy Information Office of Sustainable Energy Ireland. Pádraig Culbert, Chief Executive of the Tipperary Institute, welcomed the conference to its campus. Kevin Healion, Clifford Guest, Seamus Hoyne and Ciarán Lynch invited the renewable energy organisations to participate in the event and made most of the on-site arrangements for it with the help of their colleagues Derek Blackweir, Michael Bulfin, Sandie Byrne, Michael Cox, Caitríona Daly, Kate Dwyer, Paul Fennessy, Sean Lydon, Paddy Maguire, Liam Noonan, Catherine-Ann O'Connell, Agnes Quinn, George Ryan, Michael Ryan, Patricia Ryan and Tara Ryan. Jim Casey, Mayor of North Tipperary County Council helped by chairing a session. We should also thank Emma Greene and Sally-Ann Morrissey of the Tipperary Energy Agency, John Fogarty of Templederry Community Development Group, and the other organisations that promoted the event: the Association of Irish Energy Agencies; the Geothermal Association of Ireland; the Irish Bioenergy Association; the Irish Hydro Power Association; the Irish Solar Energy Association; the Irish Wind Energy Association and Meitheal Na Gaoithe. The Irish Farmers' Journal, The Sunday Business Post, The Irish Times and the local papers in the Tipperary area were particularly helpful in publicising the event. Dunne St. John Catering provided excellent food during the conference and Hairy O'Gorman provided a reliable minibus service between the Institute and the Anner Hotel where many participants stayed. The hotel was comfortable and its staff pleasant - our thanks to them for that.
At the Renewable Energy Information Office, we must thank Rosemarie Ahern for preparing the conference leaflet and sending out e-mail publicity shots, Paul Dykes who provided mailing lists and looked after the leaflet's printing and delivery, Xavier Dubuisson who chaired a conference session, and Paul Kellett for his support and encouragement.
Feasta members who helped with the conference
included David O'Kelly, Davie Philip,
Enid O'Dowd, Kaethe Burt-O'Dea, Joe Glynn
and Michael Lemass. We would also like to
thank the staff at the Courthouse Centre,
Tinahely, Co. Wicklow, who handled the bookings
with enthusiasm and care.
This is one of almost 50
chapters and articles in the 336-page large format book, Before the Wells
Run Dry. Copies of the book are available for £9.95 from Green Books.
