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BSC AND ELECTRIC IRELAND

June/July 2013 www.esb.ie/em


ESB sponsors book on Irish artist Seán Keating

SEÁN KEATING: ART, Politics and Building the Irish Nation, a new book by Dr Éimear O'Connor and sponsored by ESB, was officially launched by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan TD on Thursday April 25th at a reception in the Royal Hibernian Academy. Lochlann Quinn, Chairman of ESB, was among the line-up of speakers, which also included Des McMahon, President of the RHA, and Louis Keating, grandson of the painter. The beautifully illustrated book is the first ever full-scale work on one of Ireland's most well-known, yet controversial artists.

Speaking at the event, Lochlann Quinn said: “Dr Éimear O'Connor and publisher Conor Graham from Irish Academic Press have produced an outstanding publication in every respect, one which ESB is proud to be associated with. In taking on the challenge of reviewing Sean Keating's work, Éimear's thorough research and attention to detail is self-evident, as indeed is her originality and her ability to identify connections with other artist's work. This book is a landmark and defining publication that will stand the test of time.”


ABOUT THE BOOK

Seán Keating: Art, Politics and Building the Irish Nation is a groundbreaking study of one of Ireland’s most important visual artists. It opens with Keating’s modest roots in Limerick, his teenage discovery of his artistic potential, and his entry to the Dublin Metropolitan School of Art – where he studied under William Orpen, who would prove to be a key influence and mentor. Richly illustrated with over 200 colour paintings – many previously unpublished – as well as sketches and photographs, the book comprehensively covers Keating’s extensive career, including his overtly political paintings of the War of Independence, his engagement with the Aran Islands, his depiction of the industrialisation of the new state and his ongoing use of allegory as a tool of social and political critique.

Also featured are Keating’s controversial articles, letters, and RTÉ broadcasts from the 1930s to 1950s, which served to bring him both public admiration and official criticism. Well-used to controversy, he was always ready to engage and express his opinion. O’Connor’s book argues for a reevaluation of Keating’s contribution to the construction of Irish identity in the pre and post-Treaty era.

Two men and a lady pose for a photo indoors.
Pictured (l-r) are Lochlann Quinn, Chairman ESB, Dr Eirear O’Connor, author and art historian and Pat O’Doherty, ESB Chief Executive.

Based on extensive research and drawing on previously unavailable archival material, the book, which is sponsored by ESB, is a comprehensive and wellbalanced portrait which offers new insights into Keating’s life. O’Connor discusses his difficulties at the School of Art, the networks of people he knew – Harry Clarke, William Orpen, Robert Flaherty, Micheál MacLiammóir – the projects he engaged with, and his sometimes selfdestructive relationships with those he could not respect. This book is the definitive work on Keating as an artist, art teacher, broadcaster, and public commentator.

About the author: Dr Éimear O’Connor is Research Associate with TRIARCIrish Art Research Centre, Trinity College Dublin. She is editor of Irish Women Artists 1800-2009: Familiar but Unknown (2010) and author of Seán Keating in Context: Responses to Culture and Politics in Post-Civil War Ireland (2009). O’Connor is an honorary member of the Royal Hibernian Academy.


ESB staff insurance scheme

» Business Service Centre is pleased to announce the launch of some new additional enhancements in cover for home and motor insurance - at no extra cost!

A stock shot of a miniature house with hands resting over it.

IF YOU HOLD A motor or home insurance policy with the ESB Staff Insurance Scheme, you will have recently received your newly revised policy booklet outlining details of the following enhancements:

Home:

• Identity theft legal protection cover

• Loss of metered water

• Adaptation of your home fol lowing disability

• Cover for landscaping and plants

Motor

• Pre-accident value top-up

• Comprehensive driving of other cars

• Personal effects increased to €1,000

• Child seat replacement

We continuously check the market to ensure that the products we offer you are of the highest quality and competitively priced. Why not call us now for a quotation on 01702 7080 (motor) or 01702 7587 (home).

Enter the Draw

We are holding two draws to celebrate the launch of these new enhancements.

Draw 1: Exclusive to ESB Staff Insurance Scheme policyholders. Simply answer the following question to enter:

ESB Staff Insurance Scheme has recently launched new enhancements to what products?

a) Home

b) Motor

c) Home andmotor

1st prize: iPad Mini; 2nd prize: a Kindle 3rd & 4th prize: box of Lir chocolates

Draw 2:

This is open to all ESB staff, present and retired, who do not hold a policy with ESB Staff Insurance Scheme. Simply answer the following question to enter:

What is the telephone number to call to receive a quote for home insurance?

1st prize: iPad Mini
2nd prize: a Kindle
3rd & 4th prize: box of Lir chocolates

Please send your answer clearly marked ‘Competition’ to: ESB Staff Insurance Scheme, Room A237, ESB Head Office, 27 Lower Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2. Your answer should be accompanied with your name, address, telephone number and policy number if entering Draw 1. Closing date is Friday June 21st.


IT INNOVATION

» New Mobile Email Service on smartphones

Eleven people pose for a shot in an office. A Mobile Email logo can be seen on a TV screen in the shot.
The Mobile Email Project represented by (back left) Peter Veale, Technology Innovation Manager; Keith Geoghegan, ITS Desktop Service Support; Daire Venables, Business Point of Contact for G&WM; Niall Dineen, Financial Controller for BSC & Electric Ireland; Marc Quinlivan, ITS Desktop Service Support; Padraig Deegan, IT Projects; David Farrell, ITS AppData Team; Elaine Collins, ITS Client Support Manager; Fergus Cooke, Mobile Email Project Manager; Paul Melinn, ITS Desktop Service Support Team Lead; and Eoghan Barrett, IT Governance & Strategy/ IT Service Delivery Manager.

THE MOBILE EMAIL Service provides secure access for staff to their company email, calendar, contacts and tasks on a Blackberry mobile phone. The service is provided to over 550 staff that work offsite or require access to information outside normal business hours.

What is new?

The IT Innovation Council sponsored an initiative to evaluate an alternative to Blackberry for delivering mobile email on smartphones. The evaluation was successful and helped to develop the new service which will:

• Deliver cost savings that include a 66% reduction in mobile phone data charges

• Leverage ESB's investment in the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement

• Position ESB for the future use of corporate mobile applications

I have a Blackberry - what does this mean for me?

All Blackberry users will be contacted over the coming weeks and will be provided with the necessary information on how to migrate to the new Mobile Email Service on a smartphone. In the meantime, the existing service on your blackberry will continue to be available until September 2013.

What smartphones will the Mobile Email Service be provided on?

The Mobile Email Service is supported on Apple iOS, Windows Phone 8 and Google Android platforms. Not all smartphone models are compatible. If you already have a company-owned smartphone, you can check the Mobile Email ESBNET site to check it for compatibility. You can also contact your local Business Unit Mobile Email Point of Contact (listed on ESBNET) or the BSC Customer Service Centre (ext. 26699) for further information.

I already own a smartphone - will I be able to use the mobile email service?

The service is currently being provided on company-owned smart-phones only. The IT Innovation Programme is evaluating the future use of personal devices through the ‘Bring Your Own Device’ initiative. If you would like to know more about this initiative or the IT Innovation Programme, please visit http://esbmoss/sc/gsict/itgs/Innovation/default.aspx or contact Peter Veale, Technology Innovation Manager in the BSC.


What's happening next?

The Mobile Email Service was launched in May 2013. Please see the mobile email site on ESBNET for further information on how to apply for the service and for a list of Business Unit Mobile Email Points of Contact. The Mobile Email ESBNET site is available on http://esbnetwcm/ict-home/ict_useful_info/mobile_email.

Each edition of EM will include updates on the progress of IT Innovation initiatives. The next article will feature the video content delivery initiative.


ATTENTION ALL BLACKBERRY USERS

Once you have switched to the new Mobile Email Service and received a replacement smartphone, you will be required to send the replaced Blackberry (and charger) to BSC Customer Support Centre.

Your recycled phone, whether in a working condition or not, will be used to fund the purchase of iPads for ABACUS, a specialist school serving the needs of children with autism. This is a very worthy cause that the ESB will be supporting, while providing a sustainable solution for the recycling of Blackberry phones.

To return your Blackberry phone to the BSC Customer Support Centre, you can drop in personally or post to ABACUS Appeal, BSC Customer Support Centre, C block third floor, ESB Head Office, 27 Fitzwilliam Street Lower, Dublin 2.


HISTORY OF ESB TRANSPORT

A shot Volkswagen mobile showroom from the mid 1900s. The image is black and white. The image is informing the readers of a feature on page 24.
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