Dublin, [Monday 10th March 2025] – DBFL Consulting Engineers is proud to announce that it has been awarded the prestigious Gold Investors in Diversity standard from the Irish Centre for Diversity, making it the first fully Irish-owned engineering consultancy to hold this prestigious award and one of only 27 organisations out of over 300,000 companies  in Ireland, to be accredited with Investors In Diversity Gold.   This achievement places DBFL among Ireland’s top-ranking firms for workplace inclusion, solidifying its commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable, and supportive work environment.

The Gold Investors in Diversity accreditation is the highest standard awarded by the Irish Centre for Diversity, recognizing organizations that go beyond compliance to embed equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in their culture, leadership, and operations.

Speaking about the milestone, Tracy Kearney Director and EDI lead at DBFL, said:
“At DBFL, we believe that diverse teams drive better innovation, collaboration, and outcomes for our people and our clients. Achieving the Gold standard is a proud moment for us and a reflection of our ongoing efforts to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.”

Coincidentally, the same month that DBFL heard the good news about their Gold accreditation, one of the members of DBFL’s EDI team, Transportation Engineer Helen Gendy was also celebrating, having been granted Irish citizenship. Helen, originally from Egypt came to study at Trinity College in 2012. Speaking of her experience she said “I came here just to study, and I never thought I’d stay so long. It’s the home I never realised I needed.” In a time when Ireland is facing a critical engineering skills shortage, attracting and retaining overseas talent is a necessity, so DBFL was delighted to have a double celebration.

DBFL recognises the fact that a diverse workforce enhances productivity, fosters innovation, and leads to better engineering solutions, and by taking proactive steps to ensure inclusion, DBFL are playing their part in building a stronger, more resilient engineering sector that benefits all of Ireland particularly in a time of unprecedented demand for housing.

@Caroline Cummins – Managing Director, Irish Centre for Diversity commented:

“DBFL Consulting Engineers’ progress to Investors in Diversity Gold has been impressive.  Investors in Diversity Bronze laid firm foundations to build on, Investors in Diversity Silver listened to the voice of all colleagues to ensure that there is a shared sense of #Belonging, and now they are proud holders of Investors in Diversity Gold.  @Christina Haney winning ‘Employee of the Year’ in the National Diversity & Inclusion Awards 2024 was another notable milestone along the way.  Very well done to everyone at DBFL.  We look forward to sharing more of your D&I journey of continuous progress.”

As DBFL continues to lead the way in workplace inclusivity, the firm hopes to inspire others in the industry to prioritize diversity and equity, recognizing them as key drivers of business success and community development.

About DBFL Consulting Engineers

DBFL is a fully Irish-owned firm specializing in the planning, engineering design and delivery within the property, infrastructure, environmental & energy sectors, dedicated to delivering innovative, resilient and sustainable engineering solutions. The  organisation’s core values, Sustainability, Integrity, Adaptability, Excellence, Innovation, and Inclusivity, are the foundation of everything they do, guiding their approach to each project and helping their teams to stay true to their mission of Engineering Sustainable Futures.

ENDS

For further information, interviews, or media inquiries, please contact:
Leonie Lawler
leonie.lawler@dbfl.ie
01 4004000/087 2817397

www.dbfl.ie

Ireland is witnessing a significant digital transformation within its construction, architecture, and engineering (AEC) industries. As the country cements its position on the global stage, these sectors are increasingly leveraging digital technologies to drive growth, enhance efficiency, and improve sustainability. This shift is backed by substantial investments, economic incentives, and a forward-looking approach to technological innovations.

Industry Growth and Investment

The Irish government’s commitment to modernizing the AEC sectors is profoundly evident through initiatives such as Project Ireland 2040. This long-term strategy centres on spatial planning and public capital investment, with a significant portion allocated to the digitization and modernization of infrastructure. Major stakeholders in both the private and public sectors are increasingly investing in Building Information Modeling (BIM), prefabrication, ‘digital twin’ models, and cloud-based project management platforms, signalling a robust growth trajectory for these industries.

Economic Impact

Digitization is poised to deliver considerable economic benefits to Ireland’s AEC industries. Enhanced project efficiencies and productivity gains are reducing project timelines and costs, while increasing accuracy in project execution. These benefits translate into more competitive bidding for international contracts and an uptick in foreign direct investment. Furthermore, the construction industry, which accounts for a substantial portion of Ireland’s GDP, stands to gain from improved sustainability practices, which align with both European Union and national green economy targets.

Technological Innovation

Ireland’s AEC sectors are at the forefront of integrating cutting-edge technologies. BIM is becoming the industry standard for project visualization and collaboration, enabling all stakeholders to work from a single, accurate source of information. The adoption of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) is enhancing design processes by providing immersive project experiences. Additionally, the Internet of Things (IoT) is making construction sites smarter, with real-time data collection and monitoring leading to better decision-making and enhanced safety.

Emerging technologies such as drones for site surveys and inspections and the development of digital twin models, as well as 3D printing for creating complex building components, are also gaining traction. These innovations promise to further reduce labour costs, minimize material waste, and streamline project workflows.

Future Outlook and Opportunities

The future of Ireland’s AEC sectors looks promising, with a multitude of opportunities emerging from the ongoing digital revolution. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) for predictive analytics and automation can revolutionize risk management and resource allocation. Moreover, advancements in sustainable building materials and energy-efficient designs are expected to rise in response to heightened environmental awareness and regulatory mandates.

Education and training will play a crucial role in equipping the workforce with the necessary digital skills. Collaborations between industry and academia are essential to foster innovation and maintain a pipeline of talent capable of driving the next wave of technological advancements.

Overall, the digitisation of Ireland’s construction, architecture, and engineering sectors is not just a trend but a transformative wave that promises profound economic impacts and numerous opportunities for growth. As these industries continue to embrace and integrate new technologies, Ireland is well-positioned to become a leader in the global digital construction landscape, delivering sustainable and efficient solutions for future infrastructure needs.

Authored by: Robert McNair, PhD – Senior Technical Consultant, Leyton Ireland

We’re thrilled to highlight the incredible achievements of Anne-Marie Conibear, our ACEI President, in her recent feature in Irish Building Magazine!

Anne-Marie, Director for Energy and Sustainable Cities at Egis in Ireland, is currently leading a major dam and hydro-electricity project in Africa. Her vast expertise in international projects and sustainable development is an inspiration to us all.

Anne-Marie’s leadership exemplifies the power of diversity and inclusion, and we are proud to have her as the president of the ACEI.

Check out the full article to learn more about her journey and the impact she’s making on both the local and global stages! Read about here.

A public consultation has commenced on a review of Building Regulations, Technical Guidance Document L (Conservation of Fuel and Energy) Dwellings and Technical Guidance Document F (Ventilation).

Calculations in 2023 resulted in advanced cost optimal levels for major renovations to dwellings. In accordance with the EPBD, where more than 25% of the surface area of the building envelope undergoes renovation, the energy performance of the whole building should be improved to cost-optimal level in so far as this is technically, functionally and economically feasible.

In order to achieve the 2023 Cost Optimal requirement for major renovations it is intended to implement the performance requirements of a BER of “A3” or cost optimal equivalent works for major renovations to existing dwellings through amendments to TGD L (Conservation of Fuel and Energy) Dwellings and TGD F (Ventilation)

Further information including the proposed revised Technical Guidance Documents, a Regulatory Impact Analysis and templates for submission of comments may be found here.

Submissions and comments on the review should be sent by email to climateaction@housing.gov.ie The closing date for the receipt of submissions and comments is no later than 5:30 p.m. on Monday 03 February 2025 .

The EFCA Barometer provides essential insights into market trends and challenges across Europe, enabling stakeholders to navigate the evolving economic landscape effectively.

Read about it here.

We are proud to announce that the ACEI Future Leader Award has been renamed to honour Derrick Edge, a former ACEI President and dedicated champion of emerging engineering talent.

Why Future Leaders Matter 
Future leaders are at the forefront of tackling the critical challenges of our time—from housing and infrastructure to the climate crisis.

Are you an aspiring leader ready to make an impact? The 2025 Future Leader Award is now open for applications! Share your work, showcase your talent, and step into the spotlight as one of the engineering leaders of tomorrow.

Award Criteria

The 2025 ACEI Consulting Engineer Future Leader award will be presented to a consulting engineer with excellent communication skills, business acumen, technical capabilities and strong ethical values. The award competition is a great opportunity to showcase your experience to date, add value to your credentials and be publicly recognised as a rising talent by the senior leaders in your profession.

 

The European Federation of Engineering Consultancy Associations (EFCA) is pleased to announce the launch of its paper, “Carbon-Neutral and Responsible AI: The Energy Efficiency Challenge in Emerging Digital Technologies.”

This landmark document addresses the pressing energy demands posed by the exponential growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and frontier technologies, and presents recommendations for balancing disruptive innovation with sustainability

The paper highlights critical challenges, including the embodied carbon footprint of emerging technologies, the strain on urban energy grids, and the environmental impact of data centres. It calls for smarter planning, collaboration between policymakers and industry, and tangible solutions such as energy-efficient data centres and improved server utilisation.

EFCA’s Director General, Sue Arundale, says “AI and digital technologies are showing immense potential, but their rapid adoption must not exacerbate the climate emergency. This paper focuses on energy efficiency measures that do not threaten innovation. It also highlights the unsustainable increase in water use, which must be tackled with the same urgency.”

The recommendations align with existing European policies, including the Energy Efficiency Directive (EU/2023/1791), the Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/1364 on reporting requirements for data centres, and the European Green Deal. All of these ensure that sustainable practices are integrated into the digital transformation. EFCA also calls for an EU-wide expert group to guide collaborative efforts in tackling these challenges.

EFCA Pater on AI and Energy Efficiency

Introducing ECOi-W AQUA-G BLUE: A Revolution in Sustainable Heating and Cooling

Powered by the natural refrigerant R290 (GWP 3), the ECOi-W AQUA-G BLUE range from Panasonic sets a new standard for energy efficiency and environmental responsibility. Ideal for commercial projects, this air-to-water reversible heat pump combines outstanding performance with quiet operation and advanced sustainability features.

Why Choose ECOi-W AQUA-G BLUE?
✅ Green technology: R290 refrigerant with ultra-low GWP (3)
✅ High efficiency: Seasonal efficiency and energy class leading the industry
✅ Flexibility: Delivers up to 70°C water temperature, cooling from -15°C outlet
✅ Scalability: Boost capacity up to 640kW with cascade controller
✅ Quiet operation: Silent mode ensures a sound power level as low as 79.9 dB(A)

With Panasonic’s commitment to quality and the GREEN IMPACT Plan, ECOi-W AQUA-G BLUE supports the transition to a decarbonised future, aligning innovation with sustainability.
Read more about it here.