Mel has lectured on property development, procurement and professional practice and has presented papers on housing policy, apartment standards and Building Control costs. He has published articles and media appearances on the subject of housing policy. Recent Joint Oireachtas Committee submissions include papers on building control and costs in the residential sector and the re-use of vacant buildings- he was Session Chair at the recent PMVT“Empty Homes”conference in March. Mel was a Visual Artists Ireland board member for 12 years and a Heritage Council’s Conservation and Planning Consultants board member for 2 years. He established his own practice in 2008 and holds a masters in urban and building conservation, a diploma in project management and is a Certified Passive House Designer.