Management structure

The Data Centre was established by the Heritage Council in January 2007 and is based at Beechfield House, Carriganore, WIT West Campus, Waterford. Ireland.

Management Board

The National Biodiversity Data Centre is governed by a Management Board that is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the work of the National Biodiversity Data Centre and for ensuring proper corporate governance.

The composition of the Management Board is:

  • Prof. Liam Downey (Chairman)
  • Mr. Michael Starrett,  Chief Executive- The Heritage Council
  • Dr. Ciaran O’Keeffe,   Director – National Parks and Wildlife Service
  • Dr. Peter McLoughlin,   Head of Dept. of Life Science – Waterford Institute of Technology
  • Mr. Nigel Monaghan,    Keeper – National Museum of Ireland – Natural History Division
  • Dr. Peter Wyse Jackson,   Director – National Botanic Gardens
  • Mr. Larry Stapleton,  Former Director – Environmental Protection Agency
  • Dr. Venie Martin, Former Head of Development, Waterford Institute of Technology
  • Dr. Simon Berrow,   Co-ordinator – Irish Whale and Dolphin Group
  • Prof. Howard Platt,     Assistant Director of Conservation Science, Environment & Heritage Services, N. Ireland

Staff

The Centre’s staff are responsible for the development and delivery of a work programme to meet the strategic objectives identified by the Management Board. Staff are also responsible for the day to day running of the Centre at Beechfield House. The full-time staff are supported by a team of developers, employed by Compass Informatics, who are responsible for development of the Centre’s data management and web mapping system.

Dr. Liam Lysaght – Centre Director

Dr. Úna Fitzpatrick – Ecologist

Mr. Barry O’Neill – Data Manager

Dr. Eugenie Regan – Ecologist

Ms. Maria Walsh – Office Manager

Ms. Stefanie Fleischer – Research Officer

Ms. Colette O’Flynn – Research Officer

Ms. Lynda Weekes – Research Officer

The contract for delivery of a five year work programme has been awarded to Compass Informatics.   Mr. Gearoid O’Riain – Company Director has responsibility for the overall service-level agreement between Compass Informatics and the Heritage Council.

The Centre is an initiative of the Heritage Council and is funded by the Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government.