Our People

Expertise

Brendan specialises in the delivery of local and national infrastructure. He has extensive experience advising regulatory authorities, developers, funders and objectors on the risks arising under planning and environmental law. Brendan has advised on almost every major energy infrastructure project in Ireland within the past ten years, including every major waste-fuelled power project, almost every major independent gas fired power project, upstream gas infrastructure and multiple offshore and onshore windfarms. Prior to joining Arthur Cox, Brendan worked with the law firm that represents An Bord Pleanála and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Experience

Waste Management

Advising the developers of the first municipal incinerator in Ireland at the Carranstown waste-to-energy facility, the largest municipal incinerator at the Poolbeg waste-to-energy facility, the national hazardous waste incinerator, the first hazardous landfill on the island of Ireland and the biomass-fuelled power plant at Lough Neagh.

Advising the operators of waste transfer, pre-treatment and recycling infrastructure on the enforcement of planning control, compliance with waste facility permits and neighbourhood management strategies.

Energy

Advising the developers of the Huntstown Power Project, the Whitegate Power Project, the Great Island Power Project and the Lumcloon Energy Project and advising purchasers of the Tynagh Energy Project.

Advising developers, funders or purchasers in connection with windfarm projects nationwide and advising the State on the regulatory consents for offshore windfarms at the Arklow Banks, the Codling Banks and Dundalk (Oriel).

Transport

Advising the Railway Procurement Agency on the environmental impact assessment and delivery of the extensions of the Luas light rail network to the Point, Cherrywood, Citywest and through Dublin city centre.

Advising developers or funders in connection with the Motorway Service Areas, the M7/M8 Motorway, the N25 Waterford Bypass, the M50 upgrade, the Dundalk Western Bypass.

Advising Dublin Airport Authority and a number of private helicopter airfields on the management and delivery of air infrastructure, including car parking, Pier D and Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport. Advising Dublin Port Company on the management of its port related infrastructure.

Other Development

Advising the developers of Convention Centre Dublin, the Aviva Stadium, the redevelopment of the broadcasting campus at Montrose, the National Food Park, the Wyeth Biopharma Campus, the Whitewater Shopping Centre, the Crescent Shopping Centre and of major residential developments throughout the greater Dublin area, including in the City Centre, Ballsbridge, Greystones and Milltown.

Climate Change

Advising major independent power generators on proposals to clawback the value of free greenhouse gas allowances under the carbon revenue levy.

Advising the cement industry on carbon taxation measures and compliance with the EU emissions trading scheme.

Advising several pharmachem and agribusiness operators on the allocation of greenhouse gas allowances from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Natural Resources

Advising the State on the regulatory consents for the development of the Corrib Gas Field.

Advising several of Ireland’s largest quarry operators on planning control and enforcement risk, including under the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2010.

Advising purchasers on regulatory, planning and environmental risks associated with operation and aftercare of the Galmoy mine and the Lisheen mine.

Water

Advising on water supply abstractions from the river Barrow in Kildare, from Lough Glenicmurren in Galway and from groundwater in North Kildare. Advising on the Leixlip to Ballycoolen water supply scheme pipeline and proposals under the Greater Dublin Region Water Supply Study for the transfer of water from the river Shannon to Dublin.

Litigation

Representing the Railway Procurement Agency and Veolia Transport Ireland Limited in the successful defence of noise nuisance claims in the High Court.

Representing a waste collector in the successful defence of criminal proceedings alleging breach of EU law requirements for transfrontier shipment of waste to China.

Representing Indaver Ireland in the successful defence of judicial review proceedings to challenge the planning permission granted for the Carranstown waste-to-energy facility in the High Court and the Supreme Court.

Representing Dublin Airport Authority in the successful defence of different legal challenges brought to the planning permissions granted for Terminal 2 and Pier D.

Representing Raidió Teilifís Éireann in their pending judicial review challenge to the provisions of the Dublin City Development Plan.

Memberships

Member of the Irish Environmental Law Association