Rita is a qualified ecologist and holds a BSc in Applied Ecology and a H.Dip in Environmental Protection and Pollution Control. She provides technical advisory services, with a proven track record of de-risking projects from an environmental perspective, through all stages of project delivery from feasibility, impact assessment, environmental design, contract administration and construction. Rita’s background allows her to integrate a passion for nature conservation with strategic planning, ensuring that renewable energy projects advance while supporting the natural environment.

As Associate Director within the Energy & Planning services sector of Fehily Timoney, Rita oversees a team of environmental technical experts that gains development and environmental consents for our large capital projects portfolio in renewable energy. She is responsible for the project management of complex EIA projects involving large multi-disciplinary teams, bringing projects through the statutory consenting process and through to discharge of planning conditions. She has a strong background in Environmental Impact Assessment, Climate Adaptation, Appropriate Assessment, Foreshore Licensing, Water Framework Directive, and Stakeholder Engagement. In the energy sector, Rita has particular specialist experience in securing statutory consent for combined and open-cycle gas turbines, solar and wind projects, peat fired power stations, utility scale batteries and transmission (110 kV, 220 kV and 400 kV overhead line and underground cable) infrastructure. In the transport sector, Rita has experience in securing statutory consent (including CPO, EIA and AA), environmental detailed design and environmental contract documents and administration, and ECoW services in Light Rail and Highways. In the water sector, Rita has delivered environmental services for sewerage schemes, municipal wastewater treatment, potable water treatment and distribution, and flood relief schemes.

Rita is also the Technical Lead responsible for finance and operations of all ecological services within Fehily Timoney which includes Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA), Ecological Clerk of Works services, Biodiversity Enhancement and Management including biodiversity net gain, Construction Environmental Management Planning / Environmental Operating Plans, Contract Documents (environmental conditions), ecological design and mitigation for protected species and habitats, and Appropriate Assessment (AA): Habitats Directive. Rita has been instrumental in driving forward the company’s BNG approach and sustainability strategy.

Rita is the Department Manager for Fehily Timoney’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) services, progressing new innovations and efficiencies across the company through the application of GIS and working closely with the IT department to develop synergies in the future integration of GIS services with AI.