Beale & Co welcomes Jeremy Curran as Construction Partner in Dublin. 
Beale & Co is pleased to announce the appointment of Jeremy Curran as a Partner in the Firm’s Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure team in Dublin.
Jeremy joins from global law firm DLA Piper and brings over 20 years’ experience advising on construction matters across the residential, commercial, industrials, life sciences, infrastructure, and energy sectors.
He becomes part of the Firm’s leading Contracts and Projects Advisory team, where he will advise clients on all front-end project matters, including contract reviews and tender checks; contract formation and project procurement; tender procedures and competitions; negotiation and conclusion of contract documents; joint venturing and contractual entitlement; project variations; and dispute avoidance.
Originally qualified as a civil engineer, Jeremy has lived and worked in Australia, the Far East, the Middle East and Europe. He is admitted to practice in Ireland, England & Wales, and New South Wales (Australia).
Jeremy’s client base has included contractors, consultants, developers, investors, funders, non-bank lenders and end-users across multiple jurisdictions. In addition to his time in private practice, Jeremy has spent nine years as in-house counsel for a Dubai-based multinational, advising on both contentious and non-contentious construction matters.
Commenting on the appointment, Killian Dorney, Construction Partner and Head of the Firm’s Dublin office, said:
“We are very pleased to welcome Jeremy to the Partnership. His significant industry experience will be a huge benefit to our clients, the Dublin office and our wider Contracts and Projects Advisory team. With Jeremy’s support, we look forward to strengthening our position as a leading construction practice in Ireland and internationally.”
Jeremy added:
“I am excited to be joining Beale & Co and continuing my career at such an esteemed specialist firm. I look forward to working with colleagues across the Firm and contributing to its longstanding reputation in the construction, engineering and infrastructure sector.
Jeremy’s arrival further enhances Beale & Co’s position as a leading specialist firm for complex construction and infrastructure matters in the UK, Ireland, the UAE, Canada and globally.
To learn more about Jeremy, click here.
2026 ACEI Engineering Excellence Awards
Above: President Tim Murnane addresses attendees at Friday night’s award ceremony in Dublin
On Friday 27 March, we crowned new winners of the ACEI 2026 Engineering Excellence Awards.
In a packed-out Intercontinental Hotel, President Tim Murnane presented awards to each of the category winners as well as two special awards to Michael Moriarty, for a lifetime contribution to the sector, and Seán O’ Driscoll, for his recent work in the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce.
Over 400 people gathered to celebrate the achievements of our industry ahead of a period where consulting engineers will lead the way on infrastructure delivery in Ireland.
Congratulations to all our winners and to the fantastic projects which were shortlisted alongside them. ACEI would like to sincerely thank Richard Crowe and his supporting judges Anne Marie Conibear and John Purcell for all their thorough review of the project nominations to arrive at a shortlist and decide on the award winners.
Your 2026 ACEI Engineering Excellence Award Winning Projects are:
2026 Project of the Year: UCD O’Connor Centre for Learning (CFL) at University College Dublin submitted by Arup
Civil (Small): George’s Dock Luas Bridge Replacement by Roughan & O’Donovan Consulting Engineers
Civil (Medium): Marina Park and Promenade by O’Connor Sutton Cronin
Civil (Large): Project Roadrunner (Dexcom – Athenry), by Clifton Scannell Emerson Associates
Structural (Small): 180–187 Townsend Street, Dublin 2 with structural design by DBFL Consulting Engineers
Structural (Medium): Beamish and Crawford Bridges, Cork, with structural design by Arup
Structural (Large): The Treasury Building, Lower Grand Canal Street, Dublin 2 with structural design by CORA Consulting Engineers
M&E (Small): Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown Centralised Standby Power Supply Control System Project submitted by Varming Consulting Engineers
M&E (Medium): National High-Level Isolation Unit (NHLIU) Project at the Mater Hospital Dublin (MMUH) submitted by J V Tierney Consulting Engineers
M&E (Large): UCD O’Connor Centre for Learning (CFL) at University College Dublin submitted by Arup
Sustainability Built Environment (Small): 180 – 187 Townsend Street for the Peter McVerry Trust by DBFL Consulting Engineers
Sustainability Built Environment (Medium): Student Services Building, at the University of Limerick, by Don O’Malley and Partners Limited
Sustainability Built Environment (Large): The Treasury Building by CORA Consulting Engineers
Sustainability Natural Environment: Marina Park Promenade by O’Connor Sutton Cronin
Project Management (Small/Medium): Dublin Airport Authority Solar Farm by Nicholas O’Dwyer Ltd.
Project Management (Large): Killaloe Bypass, Brian Boru Bridge & R494 Improvement Scheme for Clare County Council by RPS Consulting Engineers
SME Category: The Shackleton Museum, Athy, Co. Kildare with structural, civil and fire engineering design by McCrae Consulting Engineers
Innovation (Small/Medium): Dublin Tunnel Tolling System Replacement Project by Arup
Innovation (Large): College Square by Waterman Moylan
Overseas: The Eades in Walthamstow, London, by Barrett Mahony Consulting Engineers
Welcome to the latest public affairs digest from the ACEI (covering March 2026).
We’ve been busy again with 6 political engagements including;
- 1 Minister
- 2 TDs
- 2 Special Advisors and
- 1 Contracting Authority
Political Backdrop:
International events in Iran look soon to impact the Irish energy market with guidance from Government expected to conserve energy in the coming period. This puts into sharp focus Ireland’s continuing need to upgrade renewable infrastructure in the years ahead to expand our capacity to meet national demand from native sources. At national level, items are beginning to move onto the books to progress actions from the Accelerating Infrastructure taskforce. Progress across each of its actions can be followed here https://infrastructuretaskforce.org/
Despite our importance to delivery the government is resisting any introduction of NCCs at present and the HFA remains intransigent in adopting fairer contractual terms. What is working is you the member fighting for NCCs on contracts. This changes government perception on what is considered ‘standard’ industry practice and increases the likelihood of movement on public sector work. Keep working together and demand these contractual arrangements where possible. We are working with the RIAI and others to have their members demand NCCs as well.
Key priorities for the sector and ACEI remain:
- Introduction of more flexible contract types (to include NCCs)
- Median pricing on government procurement
- Issues around collateral warranty extension within contracts from state-funded bodies.
ACEI Political Engagement:
3 March: Secretariat work with TDs to answer and give guidance on Parliamentary Questions submitted to the Department for Infrastructure
3 March: Meeting in Merrion Hotel with Darragh Gallagher, Special Advisor to Minister Dara Calleary (Fianna Fáil)
5 March: Meeting with Harry Fay, former assistant to Paula Butterly (Fine Gael).
12 March: ACEI leaders meet with former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney on government engagement policy
19 March: Meeting with Conor Sheehan TD (Labour) *Rescheduled
19 March: Meeting with OPW on Flood Relief
24 March: Meeting with the Department of Education
25 March: Meeting with Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fáil)
26 March: Meeting with Deputy John Clendennen (Fine Gael)
Remember: the ACEI will represent you directly with clients if and when issues arise. Contact us, we can help.
Celebrating the Future of Engineering Excellence
We’re thrilled to announce the four incredible finalists for this year’s ACEI Future Leaders’ Competition! These incredible young professionals, judged on innovation, leadership and excellence, are set to shape the future of our industry as Ireland seeks to deliver on its infrastructural promise.
🏆 Meet the Finalists:
Niall O’Brien of Egis
Aisling Hahessy of Arup
Andries (Andy) Kotze of Donnachadh O’Brien & Associates and
Mumo M Bonaya of Mott MacDonald
A huge congratulations to our four finalists! 👏👏
The winner will be revealed on March 27th at the ACEI Annual Awards 2026 – celebrating the very best in consulting engineering.
📅 Date: March 27, 2026
📍 Location: Intercontinental Hotel, Ballsbridge
🕖 Time: 7:00 PM
We are delighted to announce the shortlist of projects for the 2026 Engineering Excellence Awards. There was a record number of entries this year, thanks to all firms who entered.
Congratulations to all of the shortlisted firms and projects, which can be seen here.
The presentation of the awards takes place at the Gala Dinner on Friday 27th March in the Intercontinental Hotel, Dublin 4. Tickets are selling fast! So don’t miss out – book your table today!
We look forward to welcoming ACEI members and guests on the night.
Welcome to the latest public affairs digest from the ACEI (covering February 2026).
We’ve been busy this month engaging in meetings with;
- 7 Political Engagements including
- 6 Ministers or Ministers of State and
- 1 State-funded body
Political Backdrop:
The Accelerating Infrastructure Report remains the main show in town. When the report was first launched, it received much acclaim across the built environment sector with the only question mark remaining over its deliverability. ProgressIreland has an ‘Infrastructure Tracker’ monitoring progress across each of the key themes within the report and to-date its tracker notes two strands already ‘Overdue’ with 19 others ‘In Progress’. As things stand none of the key policies are marked ‘Complete’. Though still in very early stages, we now need to see those key strands turn ‘green’ and real progress made. That tracker can be viewed here https://infrastructuretaskforce.org/.
Despite our importance to delivery the government is resisting any introduction of NCCs at present and the HFA remains intransigent in adopting fairer contractual terms. What is working is you the member fighting for NCCs on contracts. This changes government perception on what is considered ‘standard’ industry practice and increases the likelihood of movement on public sector work. Keep working together and demand these contractual arrangements where possible. We are working with the RIAI and others to have their members demand NCCs as well.
Key priorities for the sector and ACEI remain:
- Introduction of more flexible contract types (to include NCCs)
- Median pricing on government procurement
- Issues around collateral warranty extension within contracts from state-funded bodies.
Media appearances:
11 February: Ahead of our Limerick Regional Event, President Tim Murnane featured in the
Limerick Leader.
26 February: Director General, Shane Dempsey was featured in the
Irish Examiner.
ACEI Political Engagement:
4 February: Meeting in Leinster House with Minister of State, Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
12 February: Meeting in Leinster House with Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fáil)
14 February: Meeting in Leinster House with Leader of the Green Party, Roderic O’ Gorman (Greens)
18 February: Meeting in Leinster House with Minister Michael Moynihan (Fianna Fáil)
24 February: Meeting with Minister of State at Dept of Transport, Sean Canney (Independent)
24 February: Meeting with delegation from the HFA
25 February: Meeting with Minister of State for Procurement, Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)
25 February: Meeting in Leinster House with Housing Minister, James Browne (Fianna Fáil)
Remember: the ACEI will represent you directly with clients if and when issues arise. Contact us, we can help.
Welcome to the latest ACEI public affairs digest from the ACEI (covering December 2025 and January 2026).
Since the most recent newsletter ACEI has continued momentum in the political space advocating for key policy changes and helping shape infrastructure delivery across the island. In 2026, already there has been;
- 12 Political Engagements
- 4 Ministers and
- 2 Special Advisors
Political Backdrop:
Since the last Public Affairs Digest, the government has launched the Accelerating Infrastructure Action Plan which will set the tone for infrastructure delivery in Ireland for the foreseeable future. Though widely celebrated for its ambition there remains important detail to be ironed out in between the lines of the 30-point Action Plan. For example, Action 25 within the Report speaks positively but vaguely on the introduction of new contract types for the sector. This is something we have advocated heavily for and should be recognised as a good result for the work undertaken in this area and it is within the aforementioned spaces that political engagement can help clarify industry concerns and deliver results for members.
Key priorities for the sector and ACEI remain:
- Introduction of more flexible contract types (to include NCCs)
- Median pricing on government procurement
- Collateral warranties
Media appearances:
3 December: Director General, Shane Dempsey in the
Irish Examiner on the Government’s Infrastructure Action Plan
5 December: Senior Policy Advisor, Dónal O’ Neill spoke with the
Irish Examiner on infrastructure delivery
22 December: Irish Times piece from
Director General, Shane Dempsey on need to embrace risk to speed up delivery of key infrastructure projects
12 January: Radio slot on WLR FM, speaking about recent challenges in delivery of key infrastructure.
17 January: In a piece for the
Irish Independent, Director General, Shane Dempsey lined out the key projects illustrating movement on infrastructure in 2026.
ACEI Political Engagement:
10 December: Meeting at the Department of Infrastructure with Kevin Meaney (Civil Service)
20 January: Meeting with Joanne Lonergan, Special Advisor to the Tánaiste, Simon Harris (Fine Gael).
21 January: Meeting in Leinster House with opposition spokesperson on housing, Eoin Ó Broin (Sinn Féin)
22 January: Meeting in Leinster House with member of the Oireachtas Infrastructure Committee, Reada Cronin (Sinn Féin)
26 January: Meeting in Offaly Constituency Office with member of the Oireachtas Infrastructure Committee, Tony McCormack (Fianna Fáil)
27 January: Meeting in Department of Climate, Energy and Environment with Minister Timmy Dooley and special advisors, Tom Tynan and David Phelan. (Fianna Fáil)
28 January: Meeting in Leinster House with Deputy Cian O’ Callaghan (Social Democrats)
28 January: Meeting in Leinster House with member of the Oireachtas Infrastructure Committee, Louis O’ Hara (Sinn Féin)
4 February: Meeting in Leinster House with Minister Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
9 February: Meeting in Leinster House with Leader of the Green Party, Roderic O’ Gorman (Greens)
18 February: Meeting in Leinster House with Minister Michael Moynihan (Fianna Fáil)
25 February: Meeting in Leinster House with Housing Minister, James Browne (Fianna Fáil)
Remember: the ACEI will represent you directly with clients if and when issues arise. Contact us, we can help.
