Keville and O`Sullivan Environmental Consultants

Waste Regulations- What has Changed that You Need to Know?

2008-09-22T12:23:00.010+01:00

Due to the demand of our clients and the coming into force of the new Waste Permit (Facility) Regulations 2007, Keville & O’Sullivan Associates are running free Waste Information Seminars in Mayo, Clare and Galway during this month.The new legislation, which came into action in June of this year, introduces a number of significant changes which are relevant to any current or future applicant

Waste (Packaging) Regulations 2007 - Are you a Major Producer?

2008-09-04T09:03:00.010+01:00

Under the Waste (Packaging) Regulations 2007, “Major Producers” have an annual turnover greater than €1 Million and place more than 10 tonnes of packaging onto the Irish market in a calendar year. If your company is a “Major Producer” you have certain obligations under Irish waste packaging law.Further to a study completed by the Clean Technology Centre based in Cork, thousands of businesses

Helen Carty joins NPWS

2008-08-25T15:12:00.000+01:00

Helen Carty, ecologist with K&OSA for the last 2 years, has accepted a position as conservation ranger for South Galway with the National Parks and Wildlife Service.The position, based in Loughrea, provides Helen with new and different opportunities in terms of experience and we wish her all the best in her new role.

K&OSA Health and Safety Week 2008

2008-08-25T15:08:00.000+01:00

K&OSA held a very successful Health and Safety Week in-house last week.All staff participated in Risk Assessment and Safe Working Procedures Workshops and the revised H&S Policy will be presented to staff at the end of September. A number of competitions were also run during the week, which culminated in a H&S Quiz and presentations of certificates to staff.

Congratulations to Noreen Layden

2008-08-25T15:07:00.004+01:00

Noreen Layden was conferred with her Doctorate in Environmental Engineering on Tuesday 26th August 2008.This is a particularly unique achievement because Noreen submitted the first PhD thesis by publications at the University of Limerick. Also, the project was a co-supervised by leading experts in civil engineering from the University of British Columbia and Dayton & Knight Consulting Engineers

K&OSA Health and Safety Week 2008

2008-08-25T14:55:00.000+01:00

K&OSA held a very successful Health and Safety Week in-house last week. All staff participated in Risk Assessment and Safe Working Procedures Workshops and the revised H&S Policy will be presented to staff at the end of September. A number of competitions were also run during the week, which culminated in a H&S Quiz and presentations of certificates to staff.

Waste Facility Permit Regulations 2007 - Are you Compliant?

2008-08-13T17:07:00.009+01:00

The new Waste Facility Permit Regulations 2007 came into action in June 2008. In light of this, Local Authorities around the country are now issuing reviews to be completed by several waste facility permit holders. Waste Facility Permit Reviews and re-applications are currently being dealt with for several clients by the waste management team here at Keville & O’

KOS complete Freshwater Pearl Mussel training

2008-07-29T12:55:00.002+01:00

The ecology team at Keville & O’Sullivan Associates have all recently completed a training course for the surveying of Freshwater Pearl Mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera).This training enables us to survey waterways for the presence or absence of Freshwater Pearl Mussel. Training was undertaken in rivers in Connemara and North Mayo, under the tutorage of the renowned Pearl Mussel expert Dr

KOS extended bat detection system

2008-07-15T12:16:00.000+01:00

Keville & O'Sullivan Associates have recently taken delivery of a new Anabat SD1 frequency division bat detection system which will be used in forthcoming projects.This system makes recordings of bat ultrasound calls that can be analysed later using computer software. The Anabat is useful for gathering information over extended periods of time and in areas that are not easy to access in darkness,

KOS Associates participating in BATLAS 2010

2008-07-08T12:27:00.000+01:00

Ecologists from Keville & O’Sullivan Associates are participating in the BATLAS 2010 project in conjunction with Bat Conservation Ireland (BCI) this summer.The project involves ‘square-bashing’ 10 kilometre squares throughout the country to augment current data on distribution patterns of all species of bat found in Ireland. Volunteers are requested to survey according to a methodology developed

Staff Upskill at K&OSA

2008-07-06T12:29:00.000+01:00

Staff members from the Ecology Section of KOSA have been busy undertaking CPD and improving field skills since the start of the summer season.Chris Peppiatt, Helen Carty and Jen Fisher have recently obtained their Certificates in Mammal ID from the Mammal Society following participation at a course held in Derrygonnelly Field Studies Centre, Co. Tyrone. Staff from the Ecology Section also

Chris Peppiatt has been appointed to the Heritage Council's panel

2008-06-25T16:07:00.007+01:00

Chris Peppiatt has recently been accepted as a member of the Heritage Council's panel of expert bat workers.As a member of the panel he will be eligible to carry out bat and bird surveys of buildings receiving grants under the Heritage Council's 'Buildings at Risk' and 'Traditional Farm Buildings' (REPS 4) grant schemes.Dr. Chris Peppiatt hold the position of Research Ecologist with Keville &

A fine guide to farming and nature

2008-05-26T12:51:00.034+01:00

By Dick Warner, 07 April 2008 - ON a recent visit to the west I was given a copy of a remarkable book called The Living Farmland — A Guide To Farming With Nature In Clare. It’s a book that will be interesting and useful to a wide range of people, but its principal aim is to help farmers conserve the natural and built heritage of the countryside and minimise the environmental impact of their

International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH) Annual Conference

2008-04-22T11:29:00.002+01:00

This year’s IAH conference is being held in Tullamore Court hotel on the 22nd and 23rd of April with the theme being "Groundwater, A Resource at Risk?". “Public awareness of damage to groundwater resources has become more acute in recent times arising from cases of cryptosporidium in water supplies, reports of increasing biological contamination of private well waters and reported environmental

'The Living Farmland'

2008-04-14T16:50:00.008+01:00

'The Living Farmland - a guide to farming with nature in Clare' has prompted many positive reviews since its recent publication and launch by IFA President, Padraig Walshe. Intended as a reference manual for farmers and landowners in Co. Clare, it provides practical advice on land management for nature conservation, focussing on farmland habitats and common agri-environmental issues. Keville &

Brownfield and Contaminated Land Remediation in Northern Ireland

2008-04-08T15:29:00.017+01:00

Ken Scally, Associate Director with Keville & O'Sullivan Associates, speaks at the "Brownfield and Contaminated Land Remediation in Northern Ireland" in Belfast on the 9th and 10th of April 2008. His talk is entitled "Environmental forensics - the future of liability?" where he discusses within his presentation the following; Recent developments in environmental forensics, Will Environmental

David Fallon has joined the staff at Keville & O'Sullivan Associates

2008-03-26T09:52:00.004Z

David Fallon has joined the staff at Keville & O'Sullivan Associates as Assistant Ecologist within the Ecology division.David holds degrees in both Forestry and Environmental Science, which he attained at the Galway Mayo Institute of Technology and the University of Ulster, Coleraine and is experienced in the identification of vascular plants, with specialist training in sedge identification and

KOSA completes Strategic Environmental Assessment of Ballina & Environs Draft Development Plan

2008-03-10T12:37:00.003Z

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is a process whereby plans and projects, whether local, regional or national, are evaluated for their consequences on the environment at an early stage in the decision-making process. The Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) Regulations 2004 require that a Strategic Environmental Assessment be carried out in respect of Development

Keville & O'Sullivan Associates win Heritage Council award under the 2008 Wildlife Grant Scheme

2008-02-25T12:46:00.000Z

K&OSA will receive a grant for an application entitled "The recovery of White-clawed Crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes populations following translocation and instream works in Co. Mayo". The aim of the project (led by Chris Peppiatt) is to resurvey a number of watercourses in the River Deel catchment beneath which a water supply pipeline was laid during works in summer-autumn 2006. During

COHAB International Workshop on Best Practice in Impact Assessment

2008-02-13T09:14:00.003Z

Three Keville & O'Sullivan Associates staff members will attend a workshop entitled 'Best Practice in Impact Assessment - Systematic Approaches to Biodiversity in SEA and HIA', to be held in the Galway Radisson SAS Hotel at the end of February. This workshop will form part of a week of international discussions on biodiversity and human wellbeing that are taking place in Galway and centred around

Ken Scally has joined Keville & O'Sullivan Associates

2008-01-25T09:55:00.000Z

Ken Scally has joined Keville & O'Sullivan Associates as Associate Director for the Environmental Monitoring divisions. He completed a MSc. in Forensic Chemistry at the Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) and his area of expertise includes environmental monitoring and forensic oil spill investigations. Ken is currently researching for his Ph.D. under Prof Paul Nathanail at the University

Keville & O'Sullivan Associates work on Burren Project

2007-12-19T16:13:00.000Z

The Burren Connect Project, led by Clare County Council in partnership with Fáilte Ireland, Shannon Development, National Parks and Wildlife Service and Burren Beo, aims to develop sustainable approaches to visitor management in the Burren. Burren Connect has a significant traffic management component, which aims to "encourage the flow of traffic onto more robust routes, develop

Golden Mile Competition

2007-11-27T10:34:00.000Z

The Golden Mile Competition Congratulations to Liscul Golden Mile Group who won several awards in Roscommon's Golden Mile Competition 2007!Our Assistant Ecologist, Helen Carty is one of the founding members of the Lisacul Golden Mile Group. The group were awarded first prize the 'Best Hedgerow' and 'Best Community Effort' categories. Certificates of Merit and two prize cheques, €300 each, were

Bon Voyage

2007-11-23T10:05:00.001Z

Bon Voyage and the best of luck to Project Ecologist Dervla O'Dowd, who is taking a three month career break to go travelling and to expand her ecological skills abroad. Dervla has been working with us for over two years and will be missed! The Best of Luck from all of us at KOSA.

Operation Christmas Child - Well Done Jen

2007-11-13T17:09:00.000Z

Well Done to ecologist Jen Fisher for all her hard work in organising Operation Christmas Child within the Galway Technology Centre. Keville & O'Sullivan were proud and delighted to have sent 55 shoeboxes filled with lovely childrens gifts to some of the worlds poorest children.

Underwater power plan for coast

2007-11-12T11:20:00.000Z

Eon UK and Lunar Energy have submitted their proposal for the project near St Davids to the UK government. The companies say generators powered by the rise and fall of the tide could produce electricity for 5,000 homes. Friends of the Earth Cymru said it was in favour of the plant "in principle" so long as it did not have an adverse impact on the marine environment. The two companies said

Ireland's Nitrates Directive gets the green light

2007-10-30T08:53:00.000Z

Irish ministers have welcomed the European Union's decision to close infringement proceedings in relation to Ireland's implementation of the Nitrates Directive. Nitrate pollution is a serious problem in rural areasMinister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley, said that the move would allow Irish agricultural businesses and Government bodies to concentrate on cutting

Grace Colleran Born !

2007-10-24T17:44:00.001+01:00

Everyone in Keville & O'Sullivan wish to congratulate Corina and Tony on the birth of their newest daughter Grace ! Grace was born at 2.15pm on Monday 24th 12 pounds 7 ounces. Mother and child are both doing great!

A Big Welcome to our New Section Manager, Noreen Layden!

2007-10-24T17:42:00.000+01:00

Noreen has just joined Keville & O’Sullivan Associates as Section Manager for the Ecology and EIS/planning divisions. She completed a Ph.D. in Environmental Science at the University of Limerick and her area of expertise includes wastewater and sludge treatment technology. Noreen also holds a B.Sc. (Ed.) in Natural Sciences (University of Limerick) and an M.Sc. in Environmental Science (Trinity

Zebra Mussel Infestation of Lough Corrib

2007-09-28T15:39:00.000+01:00

The Western Regional Fisheries Board has confirmed the presence of the introduced bivalve Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) in Lough Corrib, which until now has remained free of this invasive species. Infestation of lakes in the Shannon system has already caused widespread losses in floral and faunal diversity. Due to its prolific reproductive rate, Zebra Mussel populations can increase

Kos Social Committee

2007-09-20T11:56:00.000+01:00

On Friday September 21st, Keville & O'Sullivan staff visited City Limits in Oranmore for their Autumn Social Event to watch the Ireland V France rugby match in the Limits Sports Bar and for bowling. Bowling, in the City Limits bowling ally was won by Tony Colleran - Corina's husband, congratulations to Karen who was KOSA's top scorer! Fair play to everyone else too- I think we need a little more

The breeding and wintering birds

2007-09-20T11:49:00.000+01:00

The breeding and wintering birds in Ireland have not been the subject of a full atlas survey since 1991 and 1983/84 respectively. A new survey is planned between 2007 and 2011 that will cover both breeding and wintering birds. Fieldwork will start this November. The ireland coordinator, Brian Caffrey, will be giving a presentation on the scheme and how to become involved in it at 8 PM on

A big congratulations

2007-09-14T17:29:00.000+01:00

A big congratulations to our office administrator Aisling Conroy who recently graduated from the University of Limerick with a Bachelor of Business Studies with a major in Personnel Management. Being the most recent to join KOSA, Aisling has been working with Keville & O'Sullivan Associates for the last three months and has recently begun handling the human resources side of the business.

Revamped Company Website Up and Running

2007-09-14T17:18:00.000+01:00

After more than a few months “under construction”, the Keville & O’Sullivan Associates website has been given a major overhaul and is now available for all to see at the usual address on www.kosconsulting.com The new website provides details on all the services provided by the company. A news section will keep visitors up to date on the latest happenings in the company. The website

KOSA Gets Smart About Management

2007-09-14T17:17:00.000+01:00

Keville & O'Sullivan Associates Ltd has invested in Rapport 3 Mini, an online practice management solution that will enable it to control and enhance its ongoing growth and success. Rapport 3, a system developed by Cubic Interactive, comprises a number of components from a contacts and HR information database to an invoicing module and project management toolkit. Keville & O’Sullivan

New Job Vacancies at Keville & O’Sullivan Associates

2007-09-04T16:54:00.000+01:00

New Job Vacancies at Keville & O’Sullivan Associates Keville & O’Sullivan Associates, as of today, Thursday 26th July 2007, are seeking to recruit four staff for the positions outlined below. A job vacancy advertisement appears in today's Irish Independent 'Jobs & Careers' supplement. The company always seeks to recruit staff of the highest calibre, who can maximise their expertise, enthusiasm