We’re delighted to celebrate Fernando De Maio’s promotion to Associate (Transportation), recognising his outstanding contribution to the growth of our transportation services.

Fernando joined us in January 2024, bringing extensive international experience in transportation infrastructure. He spent 11 years with a leading Argentine engineering consultancy where he worked on the design and project management of major transportation infrastructure projects. He also gained further experience with an Italian construction firm before relocating to Ireland.

Since joining Waterman Moylan, he has been committed to delivering high-quality transportation engineering solutions, identifying innovative approaches to transport challenges, and contributing to the continued growth and development of our transportation capability.

In his new role as Associate, Fernando is excited by the opportunity to further develop and grow the Transportation team, expand our service offering, and continue building strong relationships with our clients. He looks forward to driving the continued growth of the business, helping to develop the next generation of transport professionals, and delivering sustainable and effective transport solutions across Ireland.

Waterman Moylan partners with Hometree to support woodland restoration in Ireland

The partnership will support Hometree’s community-led work to restore native ecosystems, boost biodiversity and create lasting environmental change across Ireland.

Waterman Moylan is pleased to announce a new partnership with Hometree, the west of Ireland-based environmental charity dedicated to restoring and protecting Ireland’s native woodlands. Through afforestation, conservation, ecosystem restoration and education, Hometree is helping to strengthen biodiversity while fostering deeper connections between communities and the natural environment. Its flagship Wild Atlantic Rainforest Project is working to safeguard and expand Ireland’s rare temperate rainforests, some of the country’s most ecologically significant habitats.

With the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) announcing upcoming changes to Building Energy Ratings (BER) ratings and certificates, we caught up with our sustainability expert and Director, Niall Coughlan, to learn more and discover what this means for developments across Ireland.

The SEAI’s changes to BER certification cover a variety of areas, including a revised rating structure and updates to how information is presented. With all BERs published after 24 May affected, the news has generated significant interest across the industry. However, at present, the changes are largely cosmetic and primarily lay the groundwork for the future introduction of the Zero Energy Building (ZEB) Standard. They are not expected to impact on compliance with current Building Regulations.

Simplifying the BER rating scale

One of the most notable updates is the move away from the familiar multi-tiered system (A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, B3, etc.) to a simplified A–G scale. The only exception is at the top end, where the A rating will now be divided into two categories: A and A0. Despite this structural shift, the underlying energy performance thresholds remain broadly consistent:

• An A rating will begin at 75 kWh/m²/year, which aligns with the current A3 rating.
• Current A2 ratings (25–50 kWh/m²/year) and A1 ratings (below 25 kWh/m²/year) will effectively fall within the new upper bands.
• The newly introduced A0 rating will begin at 42 kWh/m²/year.

This new A0 category is likely intended to align with anticipated revisions to Part L regulations and the transition toward Zero Energy Buildings (ZEB) over the next 12–18 months.

Building Regulation requirements remain unchanged
It’s important to emphasise that BER ratings themselves are not referenced in Building Regulations, and that compliance with Part L is based on achieving specific energy performance criteria, not a particular BER grade.

While there is typically a correlation between Part L compliance and achieving an A2 or A3 rating, this is simply a by-product of meeting energy efficiency standards, and not a regulatory requirement. As such, we do not expect the revised BER format to alter compliance obligations.

Additional metrics on BER certificates
The updated BER certificates will include some new data points, although much of the information is already calculated within existing methodologies. The primary additions are:

• Global Warming Potential (GWP)
• Operational Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Details on how these metrics will be calculated are still limited. However, their inclusion is another precursor to future regulatory requirements, particularly around embodied carbon and lifecycle analysis, which are expected to form part of upcoming Part L / ZEB updates.

 

We are proud to continue supporting the next generation through grassroots sport, helping to foster teamwork, personal development, and community spirit among young athletes.

For the second consecutive year, we were delighted to sponsor the annual tour to Wales for the MU Barnhall RFC Under-12 squad. The tour provides an invaluable opportunity for the players to develop their rugby skills, build lasting friendships, and gain memorable experiences while proudly representing their club.

Supporting local clubs and investing in youth development is an important part of our commitment to the communities in which we work. We are pleased to play a small role in making opportunities like this possible and to contribute to initiatives that encourage participation, confidence, and teamwork both on and off the pitch.

We would like to congratulate all the players, coaches, volunteers, and parents who travelled to Wales in April. Their dedication and commitment continue to make grassroots rugby such a positive and rewarding experience for young people.

We hope the squad enjoyed a successful and memorable tour, and we look forward to hearing about their experiences and achievements.

We wish the team every success for the season ahead.