The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment () is a department of the Government of Ireland that is responsible for the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors and regulates, protects and develops the natural resources of Ireland. 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:
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 â 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 â focusing on new business and technology applications and the development of policies, initiatives and legislation as appropriate.
- Regulatory affairs â the development of effective policies for the regulation of the electronic communications sector and management of the radio frequency spectrum.
- Postal services â 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 â 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 and end-use efficiency.
- Communications â 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 â 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:
Among the state-sponsored bodies of Ireland under the aegis of the Minister are:
History
The Department of Fisheries was created in 1921 during the Ministry of Dáil ÃÂireann. It was given a statutory basis by the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924, soon after the establishment of the Irish Free State 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 IrelandâÂÂFisheries Branch.
- Congested Districts Board for IrelandâÂÂFisheries 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