BY MICHAEL BRESLIN

In a year when few Fermanagh names, if any apart from himself, appeared in the Queen's New Year Honours' list, Coonian-born Dr Patrick Haren, the former chief executive of Northern Ireland Electricity was awarded a Knighthood for his services to industry.

He is an old boy of St Mary's PS, Brookeborough and St Michael's College where, three years ago, he was invited back as guest speaker for the 2004 College awards' night. From there he went to Queen's University to study electrical engineering, later returning to Queen's to do a Ph.D in electromagnetics.

His thesis studies brought him to Switzerland where he was based in an internationally-acclaimed research laboratory. After a three-year spell there, he returned to Ireland and took up a post as director with ESB, remaining in post for 15 years.

But, all the while, he was gaining valuable international experience, working for a time based in the UK on the privatisation of the electrical industry there. That sojourn was to prove of great benefit to him as the UK was away ahead of Northern Ireland in the privatisation race and, indeed, that UK experience helped him attain the post of chief executive of NIE.

When interviewed by this paper back in 2004, he said he had enjoyed the challenge and the pressure of his 12 years as NIE boss.

"In 1992", he explained, "NIE came up for privatisation and I suppose the mix of being based in Ireland, knowing what the Northern scene was about and having experience in the relative field and working on privatisation got me the job".

Today, Sir Patrick Haren is Deputy Chairman of the Viridian Group which owns NIE. On hearing that he had been awarded a knighthood , he stated: "The staff and management of NIE and Viridian, both those working with us today and those who have retired over the years, have formed the backbone of the electricity industry in Northern Ireland.

"They are terrific people, second to none who, with the support of our shareholders, demonstrate consistently their commitment to the customer and to the public service ethos which goes with providing electricity as an essential service to the community. I regard this award as a very real tribute to all of them and it is on that basis that I am delighted to be receiving it."

In a statement from Viridian Group, Patrick Bourke, its Chief Executive said, "Patrick Haren has been a driving force in the electricity industry in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Since joining Northern Ireland Electricity in 1992, he has steered the development of Viridian Group's strategy for becoming an all-island energy player.

"We are delighted Patrick Haren has been recognised for his outstanding commitment and service to the energy industry. This honour will be a source of keen satisfaction for all his colleagues at Viridian."

Sir Patrick is one of two sons of Sarah (Drumhaw Fold, Lisnaskea) and the late James Haren and is married to Anne McNally, daughter of Aggie and the late Tommy McNally, Tempo. His brother, Michael lives in Dublin.