The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment () is a department of the

Government of Ireland The Government of Ireland () is the executive (government), executive authority of Republic of Ireland, Ireland, headed by the , the head of government. The government – also known as the cabinet (government), cabinet – is composed of Mini ...

that is responsible for the

telecommunications Telecommunication, often used in its plural form or abbreviated as telecom, is the transmission of information over a distance using electronic means, typically through cables, radio waves, or other communication technologies. These means of ...

and broadcasting sectors and regulates, protects and develops the

natural resources Natural resources are resources that are drawn from nature and used with few modifications. This includes the sources of valued characteristics such as commercial and industrial use, aesthetic value, scientific interest, and cultural value. ...

Ireland Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...

. The head of the department is the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment.

Departmental team

The official headquarters and ministerial offices are at Tom Johnson House, Beggar's Bush, Dublin. The departmental team consists of the following: * Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment:

Darragh O'Brien Darragh O'Brien (born 8 July 1974) is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who has served as Minister for Transport (Ireland), Minister for Transport and Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment since January 2025. He has been a Teachta Dá ...

, TD **

Minister of State Minister of state is a designation for a government minister, with varying meanings in different jurisdictions. In a number of European countries, the title is given as an honorific conferring a higher rank, often bestowed upon senior minister ...

for the

circular economy A circular economy (also referred to as circularity or CE) is a model of resource Production (economics), production and Resource consumption, consumption in any economy that involves sharing, leasing, Reuse, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and ...

: Alan Dillon, TD **Minister of State for the marine: Timmy Dooley, TD *Secretary General of the Department: Oonagh Buckley

Overview

The department has responsibilities in the areas of:

Energy

* To develop a competitive energy supply industry * To ensure security and reliability of energy supply * To develop energy conservation and end-use efficiency.

Communications

* Communications development – promotion of the provision and development of competitive high quality and world class services in the communications, electronic and mobile commerce sectors. * Business and technology – focusing on new business and technology applications and the development of policies, initiatives and legislation as appropriate. * Regulatory affairs – the development of effective policies for the regulation of the electronic communications sector and management of the radio frequency spectrum. * Postal services – the development of an effective policy for the Irish postal sector based on open market principles. * It is seen as a successor to the old Department of Posts and Telegraphs.

Natural Resources

* The Petroleum Affairs Division aims to: ** maximise the benefits to the State from exploration for and production of indigenous oil and gas resources; ** ensure that activities are conducted safely and with due regard to their impact on the environment and other land/sea users. * The Exploration and Mining Division of the department is charged with: ** applying the Minerals Development Act to minerals exploration and development; ** encouraging the early identification and responsible development by private investors of the Nation's minerals deposits in accordance with best international practice; ** enhancing the attractiveness of Ireland for international and national minerals investment by active promotional measures. * The Geological Survey of Ireland is: ** Ireland's National Earth Science Agency, and is responsible for providing geological advice and information.

Structure

The Department of Environment, Climate and Communications is subdivided into the following divisions: *Climate – The department has three major aims regarding climate change: To develop a competitive energy supply industry, to ensure security and reliability of energy supply, and to develop

energy conservation Energy conservation is the effort to reduce wasteful energy consumption by using fewer energy services. This can be done by using energy more effectively (using less and better sources of energy for continuous service) or changing one's behavi ...

and end-use efficiency. *Communications – The core policy objective of the Communications Sector is to contribute to sustained macro-economic growth and competitiveness and ensure that Ireland is best placed to avail of the emerging opportunities provided by the information and knowledge society, by promoting investment in state-of-the-art infrastructures, by providing a supportive legislative and regulatory environment and by developing a leading edge research and development reputation in the information, communications and digital technologies. *Natural Resources – This division is subdivided into three sectors: the Exploration and Mining Division, Petroleum Affairs Division, and the Geological Survey of Ireland.

Affiliated bodies

Among the state agencies and other bodies affiliated to the department in some way are: * Commission for Regulation of Utilities * Commission for Communications Regulation * National Cyber Security Centre * Digital Hub Development Agency * National Digital Research Centre *Geological Survey of Ireland *Mining Board *Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland *National Oil Reserves Agency *Central and Regional Fisheries Boards *Loughs Agency of the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission ( North/South body) Among the state-sponsored bodies of Ireland under the aegis of the Minister are: * Electricity Supply Board * Bord na Móna * EirGrid *

An Post (; literally 'The Post') is the state-owned provider of Mail, postal services in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. An Post provides a "universal postal service" to all parts of the country as a member of the Universal Postal Union. Services provide ...

* Irish National Petroleum Corporation

History

The Department of Fisheries was created in 1921 during the

Ministry of Dáil Éireann The ministry of Dáil Éireann () was the cabinet of the 1919–1922 Irish Republic during the Irish War of Independence. The ministry was originally established by the Dáil Constitution adopted by the First Dáil on 21 January 1919, after i ...

. It was given a statutory basis by the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924, soon after the establishment of the

Irish Free State The Irish Free State (6 December 192229 December 1937), also known by its Irish-language, Irish name ( , ), was a State (polity), state established in December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty of December 1921. The treaty ended the three-ye ...

in 1922. This act provided it with: The Schedule assigned it with the duties of the following bodies: *Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland—Fisheries Branch. *Congested Districts Board for Ireland—Fisheries Branch, and Rural Industries Branch. *The Conservators of Fisheries.

Alteration of name and transfer of functions

The name and functions of the department have changed several times by statutory instruments.

References

External links

* {{authority control

Energy in the Republic of Ireland Ministries established in 1921 Environment

1921 establishments in Ireland Environment of the Republic of Ireland